GEAR UP Grant to Assist Six JCS Schools This Spring SMITHFIELD-- There's absolutely nothing Rose Pittman or Anthony Bailey won't do to encourage a student to consider going to college. For this interview, Pittman had offered to give Bailey a ride considering the fact that he'd had surgery on his leg. But Bailey walked in on crutches, giving a double dose of enthusiasm to the prospect of expanding a program that will help more students go to college. It's no wonder: Johnston County Schools is the only school district in the state that has received two GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) grants*one state and one federal*to offer college-bound incentive activities. Tandem to the objective of persuading more students to matriculate to college is the goal of keeping them in school so that college is a short-term realization. "We're trying to decrease the drop-out rate and increase the graduation rate," said Bailey. And an increase in the number of students matriculating into higher education is a win-win proposition, said Pittman. "In the long run, it's going to benefit our economy and our community," she added. Currently, Pittman and Bailey are planning staff development for teachers at the six schools identified for assistance through this six-year grant. Targeting seventh grade students, the program will begin this spring at Benson Middle, South Johnston High School, North Johnston Middle School, North Johnston High School, Selma Middle School, and Smithfield-Selma High School. The state grant will be used at Selma Middle and Smithfield-Selma High. The federal grant will assist the remaining schools. The cohort of students involved with the state grant at Selma Middle will expand each year to include their next grade level, with the number of participants starting at 150. Pittman's cohort will remain the same for six years. She will have 200 students at North Johnston and 100 at Benson Middle. Dr. Chris Godwin, Director of Middle Grades Curriculum, wrote both grants, earning $78,000 from the state and $238,000 from the federal government. The grant includes collaborative activities with Campbell University, which will provide tutors, and the YMCA, which will provide transportation and other concerted activities. Bailey and Pittman are seeking corporate sponsors to sustain the grant indefinitely. Teachers at the schools can apply for mini-grants to fund activities and instructional strategies. The applications will be reviewed by the GEAR UP advisory council for relevance to reaching the grant's goals. Pittman and Bailey are planning open houses for the students and their parents and guardians to introduce them to the program and answer any questions they may have. The open houses are planned for April 25 at North Johnston Middle School, April 28 at Selma Middle School and May 4 at Benson Middle School. In the meantime, they are developing a plan of action that will include meeting with teachers to discuss possibilities for the upcoming year; meeting with students to share GEAR UP goals; parent meetings; college campus tours; working closely with guidance counselors; and, staff development. "Our goal is to assist our schools and support their vision for making their students' dreams into realities," said Bailey.
