Cohort Student Services

The Cohort Student Services component of the Arizona GEAR UP grant aims to significantly increase postsecondary enrollment rates of students graduating from partner schools. Historically, in each grant cycle, through 2019, services began with 7th grade cohorts at partner middle schools/junior high schools.  These students comprised the “Arizona GEAR UP Cohort” for the entire grant cycle.

From 7th grade through 12th grade, grant-paid Site Coordinators in each partner school shepherd the GEAR UP cohort through each grade, including the move from middle to high school, toward postsecondary education.  Site-specific work plans and budgets, developed each year by the districts/schools in collaboration with NAU GEAR UP, are designed to build on the specific strengths, and to meet the specific needs, of each school, and guide the Coordinators’ work with students and their families.  Sample work plans are available on our Grants Management Page. GEAR UP work plans feature multiple, overlapping, research-based strategies, interventions and services to foster student achievement in middle and high school and to prepare students for a successful postsecondary education experience. After graduation, in Year 7 of the grant, Arizona GEAR UP partners with postsecondary institutions in the State to provide support services to GEAR UP students attending those institutions.  Arizona GEAR UP State Office staff serve students attending other institutions, both in and out of state, directly – primarily through text messaging, and remain available to them as a resource throughout their first year of college. State Office staff also stay in touch with GEAR UP graduates who did not immediately enroll in college, to support them when they are ready to make the transition.  Additional documents used to facilitate the Cohort Student Services Component can be found on our Grants Management Page.