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LOUISIANA
AWARDED
STATE GEAR UP GRANT |
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 Twenty-five
venturesome middle schools in 11 districts will directly benefit
from a $12.5 million, 5-year State GEAR UP grant recently awarded
to Louisiana by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). In
a capitol news conference, the Louisiana Systemic Initiatives
Program (LaSIP), in conjunction with the Board of Regents and
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, announced
that Louisiana was one of only six new awardees chosen to take
part in the national initiative which began in 1998. The GEAR
UP program supports the “No Child Left Behind” commitment;
its mission is to increase the number of low-income students
who enter and succeed in college. The grant will be used to
bolster academic performance and elevate educational aspirations
of students attending targeted schools.
LA GEAR UP will impact over 2,500
seventh graders in its first year. The program, which will benefit
more than 45,000 students over 5 years, will add a cohort of
7th graders each year. During the news conference to announce
the award, Commissioner of Higher Education E. Joseph Savoie
and State Superintendent of Education Cecil J. Picard said they
believe LA GEAR UP will improve the rate at which low-income
students succeed in high school and college, thereby making
these students more competitive with middle and high-income
students. "We're looking for a laboratory to see what works
and doesn't work as part of an effort to make sure the middle
school years aren't lost years," Picard said. "Test
scores show there is a dip in student achievement after elementary
school. Something happens after the fourth grade. These are
different kids than they were in elementary school and they
need a different approach." Savoie praised the significance
of the program, saying "This targeted approach is an appropriate
way to ensure that our low-income middle school students are
on track academically and headed toward a productive post-secondary
educational experience. I am proud that Louisiana has won this
competitive grant. These funds will directly impact thousands
of students.”
 Governor Foster
confirmed the State's commitment to LA GEAR UP, observing that
"My administration, working with the Blue Ribbon Commission,
has made education and closing the achievement gap among students
a top priority. The middle school years are critical in the
development of our children, and this grant, along with our
efforts in school accountability, will help students gear up
to reach their achievement potential." LA GEAR UP initiatives
are currently being implemented at participating schools. |
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