Idaho receives $23 million in federal grant

Our goal is to ensure every student graduates from high school prepared to go on to postsecondary education, and once there, they will not need remediation. Idaho was awarded $23 million in federal grant funding to help more Idaho students go on to postsecondary education.GEAR UP has proven to be a successful program in helping more students accomplish this goal, and I am proud we will continue this program in the coming years,Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said.The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) Idaho grant is a federally funded program, matched by state, local and private funds, designed to prepare students and their families for postsecondary education beginning in the 7th grade and through their senior year.

The GEAR UP Idaho program implements statewide services and support to address financial, social and landscape barriers that Idaho students face on their path to postsecondary education. The program is aligned with Idaho’s Students Come First reform laws to improve student achievement, increase high school graduation rates and ensure successful entrance and completion of postsecondary programs.Officials say Idaho was one of 66 out of 236 state and partnership applicants to receive an award this year. Idaho first received a GEAR UP grant in 2006. Students involved in GEAR UP Idaho have shown progress in increasing academic achievement, they say taking more rigorous courses, and showing a greater interest in going on to postsecondary education after high school.

Through the new GEAR UP grant, Idaho will be able to serve 6,000 new students statewide. Local school districts and public charter schools have applied to be a part of the GEAR UP program. The grant program targets middle schools where 50 percent of students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch.