GEAR UP: An Analysis of Postsecondary Education Awareness in America (2015)

Undergraduate: Sofia Gonzalez

Faculty Advisor: Patrick Akos
Department: Political Science

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This study examines the primary federal policy addressing the issue of access to and participation in postsecondary education for low-income students in America: Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Implemented in 1999 as an amendment to the Higher Education Act of 1965, GEAR UP aims to increase the postsecondary educational opportunity realization through the discretionary funding that can be used in ways that familiarize students, parents, teachers, and school administrators with the variety of opportunities available to students after high school. Though audits and evaluations conducted by the U.S. Department of Education suggest that GEAR UP high schools show higher scores on standardized tests than non-GEAR UP schools, policy alternatives generally stem from feelings of lack of resources, lack of time, and lack of overall project leadership and staff support provided by GEAR UP. This study adds to the current literature on GEAR UP by comparing it with policy alternatives with regard to costs and benefits and effectiveness with regard to college readiness, learning, accountability, and equity.