EDINBURG, TEXAS - Administrators that handle the GEAR UP program for Region One Education Service Center acknowledge they have had a stressful year.
With all the upheaval in Washington, D.C., they feared the popular program would be on the chopping block when the Department of Government Efficiency was looking to save money.
But ultimately, their fears were misplaced. What they found, thrillingly, was bipartisan support in Congress.
Republican support was on display at an event held to announce Region One had secured $66.7 million for GEAR UP over the next seven years. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn spoke to educators, students, and community partners via a video link.
“Hi, I'm Texas Senator John Cornyn. I'm proud to support the GEAR UP partnership, which helps prepare middle and high school students to succeed in post-secondary education,” Cornyn said. “I was glad to see Region One recently receive nearly $10 million in GEAR UP grant funds and I want to congratulate all participating school districts, community partners and families.”
Cornyn continued: “These resources are essential to help Rio Grande Valley students not only succeed in their education but also thrive in a highly competitive job market. As STEM fields continue to dominate our future, it's more important than ever that we have a skilled workforce.”
He concluded: “Thanks to everyone in Region One for your tireless efforts to support South Texas students and their families, enjoy the day's celebration and keep up the good work.”
The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a seven-year federal initiative designed to increase early college awareness, readiness and success for students. The program follows a cohort of students starting in 7th grade through their first year of post-secondary education.
Melissa I. Lopez, executive administrator for the Division of College, Career & Life Readiness at Region One, emceed the event. She acknowledged the fears about the future of GEAR UP.
“I'll be honest with you, this year has been very stressful, and my team can tell you that as well. Because of the uncertainty,” Lopez said, from the podium.
“I’m not going to get political other than to say that the reason we were funded is because GEAR UP continues to have strong bipartisan support. That means that both Democrats and Republicans at the federal level believe in what GEAR UP does… and that is why we are here today.”
Lopez said that only a month ago she was standing in the same room at Region One, unsure about the future.
“I was talking to administrators, at district level and campus level. And at that time, I told them, I don't know about the future of GEAR UP, because it was true… we did not know.”
Lopez said she told the administrators: “There’s a lot of uncertainty, so therefore we just need to prepare. But you know what, no matter what, we keep doing the work, because it's great work.”
Lopez repeated what Dr. Daniel King, executive director of Region One, had said earlier. “Every time that we have a GEAR UP cohort, we see that peak in college enrollment, we see that peak in the FAFSA completion and scholarship awards. We want to keep that momentum going, whether we have the funds or not. But, of course, it does help when you do have the funds.”
Lopez said that a week after that meeting with administrators, she received the good news.
“On a Friday afternoon, 5:30pm, I received the email, two emails saying, congratulations, you have been awarded. That was the best news. I honestly started shaking. I could not believe it.”
Lopez added: “We couldn’t do this without the support of our legislative leaders at both the state and especially the federal level, and one of the individuals that continues being a champion for GEAR UP has a few words to say.” She then played the video message from Sen. Cornyn.
Later in the day Region One issued a press release confirming that it would be launching a new round of college readiness support to students at over 20 area school systems over the next seven years. The money was coming from two recently awarded GEAR UP grants.
Region One ESC received $31.8 million for the GEAR UP: Future Forward cohort and $34.9 million for the GEAR UP: Journey to College, Career and Life cohort.
The press release said that through GEAR UP, Region One will implement its “nationally recognized college and life readiness model" among over 11,000 middle school students at partner school systems to promote post-secondary readiness.
Partner school systems for the Class of 2031 cohorts are:
* Brownsville ISD
* Edcouch-Elsa ISD
* Harlingen CISD
* IDEA Public Schools
* Jim Hogg County ISD
* La Joya ISD
* Laredo ISD
* Lasara ISD
* La Villa ISD
* Lyford CISD
* Monte Alto ISD
* Point Isabel ISD
* PSJA ISD
* Progreso ISD
* San Perlita ISD
* San Isidro ISD
* Santa Maria ISD
* Sharyland ISD
* Raymondville ISD
* Rio Grande City Grulla ISD
* United ISD
* Valley View ISD
* Webb CISD
“To show you how competitive this cycle was, there were 146 applications (for GEAR UP funding),” Lopez said. This was a very competitive cycle. Out of the 146 only 32 across the nation were awarded. Out of those 32, two are here in Region One. So again, we are very blessed.”
There was a big round of applause when Lopez said this.
