To download a copy of the new 2008-2014 LA GEAR UP proposal, please click here!  (MS Word, 310k)

Posted: July 15th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none

The Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program, or LaSIP, is an educational initiative best known for its mission to promote comprehensive, standards-based mathematics, science, and technology reforms in K-16 education. In 1991, Louisiana was one of ten original states to be funded by the National Science Foundation under a (then) new federal program called Statewide Systemic Initiatives. Later, in 1996, Louisiana became one of two Statewide Systemic Initiative states to be refunded for another five years.

A strength of LaSIP is its ability to successfully compete for federal reform dollars, and the coordinated use of available federal and state funds for intensive professional development in mathematics and science. Since 2001, funding for LaSIP has been provided by the Louisiana legislature, the Board of Regents, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and federal grant funds. LaSIP remains the only program jointly funded by the Board of Regents and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Support Fund dollars.

In 2002, LaSIP joined forces with the Board of Regents, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Louisiana Department of Education, and other statewide partners, to submit a proposal to the U.S. Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program—or GEAR UP, as it is known, and in September of 2002, received notification of its 5-year, $12.5 million GEAR UP award.

In July 2006, in a post-Katrina/Rita belt-tightening gesture, the Louisiana State Legislature moved LaSIP under the auspices of the Board of Regents, where it is currently housed.

The Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program, LA GEAR UP, an initiative within the Louisiana Systemic Initiatives Program, LaSIP, housed at the Board of Regents. The Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (LA GEAR UP) was funded by the U.S. Department of Education in September of 2002.

The $12.5 million grant began with approximately 25 schools located in 11 districts throughout Louisiana. In its first 9 months, LA GEAR UP targeted students in 11 school districts across Louisiana. Participating schools met (and meet) economic and academic criteria that indicate a strong need for intervention. For example, in eligible districts,

• 59% (or more) of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch

• The composite ACT score is 19.6 or lower

• The percentage of 1st time college freshmen is 42.7% or lower

• The percentage of freshmen requiring remedial coursework is 45.6% or higher

In its first year, LA GEAR UP reached over 2,500 7th grade students. These students have continued in the program and will continue through graduation. A new cohort of 7th graders is added each successive year. The number of LA GEAR UP students increased each year of the grant until losing approximately 4,000 students in Katrina and Rita’s wake. LA GEAR UP currently reaches over 12,000 students across the state.

Posted: January 24th, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: none