Desoto independent school district

DeSoto Independent School District (DeSoto ISD) is a recent recipient of a 2022 GEAR UP grant award entitled College Driven. This is the district’s third opportunity to be part of this amazing federally funded opportunity: Let’s Gear Up (Cohorts 2020 and 2021), Next Generation GEAR UP (Cohorts 2024 and 2025), and now College Driven will serve the scholars in cohorts 2028 and 2029.

The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) State Grant is a seven- year federal initiative designed to increase early college awareness, readiness, and success for low-income and historically underrepresented students. This grant serves an entire cohort of students beginning with seventh grade and following the cohort through high school. GEAR UP funds are also used to provide college scholarships to low-income students.

College Driven GEAR UP will provide resources for educators, students, and parents on topics including:

● College Readiness

● College Awareness

● Advanced Academics

● Promising Outreach Practices

● Financial Aid

● Parent Involvement

● Mentors, Mindsets, and Relationships

The DeSoto ISD College Driven GEAR UP grant objectives are aligned with our DeSoto ISD board goals and are as follows:

Objective #1: Increase GEAR UP cohort students’ academic performance to adequately prepare them for postsecondary education.

Objective #2: Increase the percentage of high school GEAR UP cohort graduates and their participation in postsecondary education.

Objective #3 Increase GEAR UP students’ educational expectations and students’ and parents’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation and financing.

Objective 4: Increase students’/parents’ knowledge and skills, regarding work-based learning experiences, STEM, remote learning, use of technology, and mental health services to create a pathway toward increasing their competencies and aptitudes.

Dr. Calvin Green Project Director, College Driven GEAR UP
200 E. Belt Line Rd.
DeSoto, TX 75115
(972) 223-6666 ext 8298

calvin.green@desotoisd.org