LA School Officials Participate in Leadership Training
School administrators and teachers from Little Axe Public Schools recently spent six days in Oklahoma City to learn ways to better boost local college access efforts during the Leadership with Ongoing Guidance, Instruction and Curriculum (LOGIC) workshop. Developed and provided by Oklahoma GEAR UP, LOGIC is an intensive professional learning program that focuses on educational leadership, guidance and curriculum.
Representatives from Little Axe Public Schools who attended LOGIC include: Mildred Bates, middle school history teacher; David Bounds, high school history teacher; Dina Bread, high school science teacher; Stephanie Caudle, middle school science teacher; Roger Colby, high school English teacher; Steven Edwards, high school principal; Lee Gilbert, middle school math teacher; Dalton Griffin, middle school principal; Vicki Knox, high school math teacher; Debbie Self, middle school English teacher; and Carrie Tucker, assistant principal.
During the six-day training, participants from GEAR UP’s 24 school districts had the opportunity to study in detail their EXPLORE, PLAN and ACT test information, college remediation and retention data to develop a plan to improve student success and create a high performance learning culture in their schools. Each school district’s team will return in the fall for a one day follow-up session to discuss implementation and future plans.
“Our goal with LOGIC is to provide training and resources specific to our school districts so they can better develop a mission and strategies to improve student achievement,” said Assistant Vice Chancellor Jolynn Horn, who directs the state’s GEAR UP program. “We want them to have a vision of school elements, curriculum and instructional practices that motivate students and make greater achievement possible.”
Administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, GEAR UP – Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs – is a federal grant program offered through the U.S. Department of Education to provide opportunities for middle and high school students to acquire the academic skills, planning information, financial assistance and support they need to succeed in college.
“We appreciate the commitment made by Little Axe Public Schools to concentrate on raising the educational expectations for all students,” said Chancellor Glen D. Johnson. “We are proud of the collaborative efforts among GEAR UP, our schools and communities that are preparing more Oklahoma students and their families for college success.”
Oklahoma was recently awarded its third consecutive, multi-year GEAR UP state grant totaling $34.9 million. The mission of the state grant is to help make Oklahoma communities more of a college-bound population by providing activities, services and information to strengthen classroom learning and student achievement, empower educators and community leaders and educate students and families.
For more information about Oklahoma GEAR UP, please visit okhighered.org/gearup or call 800.858.1840.
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with state GEAR UP grants totaling $20.5 million in August 1999, $20.6 million in August 2005 and $34.9 million in September 2011. The grants have been matched by more than $48 million from state and partner resources. From 1999 to 2011, GEAR UP received more than $45.6 million in federal funds. With the addition of the 2011 grant, Oklahoma’s GEAR UP program will ultimately receive more than $80.6 million in federal funds by 2018.
