Year 3 Annual Implementation Report Texas GEAR UP State Grant Evaluation August 2016 Submitted to: Texas Education Agency 1701 N. Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 Submitted by: ICF International 9300 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The ICF International (ICF) evaluation team would like to acknowledge the many members of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), site/campus staff, and collaborative organizations for their support of this evaluation. They provided valuable information and feedback to ensure that the evaluation team had a full understanding of the goals/objectives and implementation of the Texas GEAR UP State Grant across participating sites and campuses. The evaluation team looks forward to the continued collaboration with TEA staff, site/campus staff, and other collaborators to provide a high-quality evaluation that can inform policy and practice for schools, nationally and in Texas. ICF International (NASDAQ: ICFI) partners with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in the social programs, health, energy, climate change, environment, transportation, defense, and emergency management markets. The firm combines passion for its work with industry expertise and innovative analytics to produce compelling results throughout the entire program life cycle—from analysis and design through implementation and improvement. For additional information about ICF, please contact: ICF International 9300 Lee Highway Fairfax, VA 22031 Phone: 703-934-3603 or 1-800-532-4783 Fax: 703-934-3740 Email: [email protected] Contributing Authors Ashley Briggs, EdD Barbara O’Donnel, PhD Thomas Horwood Jing Sun Matt McKinney Anna Sanderson Brooke Shelley Allison Alexander Prepared for Texas Education Agency 1701 N. Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701 Phone: 512-463-9734 Evaluation funded by the Texas Education Agency through funds provided by the U.S. Department of Education for the Texas GEAR UP State Grant. 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Texas GEAR UP State Grant Evaluation, Year 3 Annual Implementation Report Table of Contents Tables… ................................................................................................................................... vii Figures ....................................................................................................................................... x Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................... xiii Highlights ................................................................................................................................ xv Implementation .............................................................................................................. xv Student Plans, Knowledge, and Perceptions about Postsecondary Education .............. xv Key Facilitators and Barriers ......................................................................................... xvi Potential Promising Practices ....................................................................................... xvi Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. xvii Overview ......................................................................................................................xvii Evaluation of Texas GEAR UP State Grant ................................................................. xviii Key Findings................................................................................................................. xix Implementation .................................................................................................xxii Student Surveys ............................................................................................ xxviii Key Facilitators and Barriers: Implementation ..............................................................xxix Connecting Texas GEAR UP SG to Existing Efforts .........................................xxix Barriers of Communication and Advanced Planning ........................................ xxx Potential Promising Practices ...................................................................................... xxx Recommendations.......................................................................................................xxxi 1. Introduction and Overview of Texas GEAR UP ........................................................... 1 1.1 College Readiness Challenge .............................................................................. 1 The National and Texas College Readiness Challenge ............................ 1 Texas House Bill 5 and the Texas GEAR UP State Grant Grade 9 Class of 2014–15 ............................................................................................... 4 About the Federal GEAR UP Program ..................................................... 6 Overview of Texas GEAR UP State Grant: High Schools ......................... 7 1.2 Texas GEAR UP State Grant Year 1 and Year 2 Key Findings .......................... 13 Prior Years: Level and Mix of Implementation ........................................ 13 Prior Years: Advanced Course Taking and Student Support Services .... 14 Prior Years: Parental Engagement with Texas GEAR UP State Grant ... 15 Prior Years: Teacher Professional Development and Vertical Teaming .. 15 Prior Years: Student and Parent Key Survey Findings............................ 16 Prior Years: Key Facilitators and Barriers ............................................... 17 1.3 Evaluation Objectives, Research Questions, and Project Objectives ................. 17 Year 3 Evaluation Objectives and Research Questions .......................... 17 August 2016 i Texas GEAR UP State Grant Evaluation, Year 3 Annual Implementation Report Year 3 Project Objectives ....................................................................... 19 1.4 Evaluation Design and Methods ......................................................................... 20 Logic Model ............................................................................................ 21 1.5 Overview of Report ............................................................................................ 23 Next Steps in the Evaluation................................................................... 23 2. Implementation of the Texas GEAR UP State Grant ................................................. 25 2.1 Services Planning and Program Leadership at Schools ..................................... 26 Introducing the Texas GEAR UP State Grant to the School Community . 29 Texas GEAR UP State Grant Staff ......................................................... 29 2.2 Student Progress Toward High School Graduation and College Readiness....... 30 Student Enrollment in and Completion of Advanced Courses ................. 31 Progress Related to Endorsements and Graduation Plans ..................... 37 Multiple Skill Sets Necessary for High School Success .......................... 38 Other College Readiness Indicators ....................................................... 39 2.3 Student Participation in Texas GEAR UP State Grant Activities ......................... 40 Student Support Services: Academic Tutoring, Mentoring, and Counseling/Advising ............................................................................... 40 College Visits ......................................................................................... 45 Job Site Visits/Job Shadowing ................................................................ 46 Participation in Texas GEAR UP State Grant Student Workshops/Events ................................................................................. 47 Mix of Student Texas GEAR UP State Grant Implementation ................. 48 2.4 Parental Engagement in Texas GEAR UP State Grant Activities ....................... 50 2.5 Participation by Teachers in Professional Development Activities .....................