The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) national initiative began in 1998 to encourage more American youth to have high expectations, stay in school, study hard, and take the right courses to prepare for college. One strategy is to facilitate stronger vertical articulation and communication among university faculty and middle school teachers. The GEAR Up Program, federally funded by the U. S. Department of Education, has made possible a collaborative involving Project GRAD, Houston Independent School District (specifically Davis, Yates, Wheatley, Reagan and Sam Houston feeder patterns), and the University of Houston-Downtown. GEAR UP is designed to better prepare middle and high school students for college through academic preparation programs and scholarships for students, professional development activities for educators, and college access information for students and parents.

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Last updated or reviewed on 7/29/10