Get Ready, Get Set, Go to College: Addressing Diversity to Increase Student Preparation and Access

• In Event: Roundtable Session 57
  In Roundtable Session: Evaluation of Programs to Enhance College and Career Readiness

Abstract

Poverty and rurality influence achievement outcomes across a myriad of components in school systems. Therefore, educational leaders continue to search for ways to prepare diverse rural populations of students and their parents with the knowledge and skills necessary for postsecondary success. The GEAR UP for SUCCESS project focused on providing services and professional development for systemic long-term change by developing a college going culture in 32 primarily rural schools with 71% poverty. The results of this program evaluation provided empirical evidence of the relationship between college-going culture services with graduation rates and enrollment in institutions of higher education for 3,542 cohort students. This study holds significance for educators as they strive to better prepare at-risk students for higher education.

Authors

• Scott Neal Wilson, University of Oklahoma

• Sharon Gail Dean, University of Oklahoma

• Leslie Ann Williams, University of Oklahoma

• Sharon Ann Wilbur, University of Oklahoma