2014 GEAR UP TN kickoff MEETING August 28, 2014 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

1. 2014 GEAR UP TN kickoff MEETING August 28, 2014 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

2. Troy Grant Director of college access initiatives Tennessee higher Education Commission

3. Dr. Richard Rhoda Executive Director Tennessee higher Education Commission

4. GEAR UP TN State Office Staff

5. GEAR UP TN State Office Staff

6. GEAR UP TN State Office Staff

7. Vision for the Day Vision for the GEAR UP TN Kickoff 1. Strengthen GEAR UP TN implementation through data analysis and goal setting 2. Explore new opportunities for innovation and capacity building 3. Gain a thorough understanding of Tennessee Promise 4. Build a network of peers

8. GEAR UP TN Goals • Increase the academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education for GEAR UP students. • Increase the rates of high school graduation and enrollment in postsecondary education for GEAR UP students. • Increase GEAR UP students’ and their families’ knowledge of postsecondary education options, preparation, and financing.

9. Last Year’s Successes 14,371 298,504 hours of services for an average of 20.8 hours per student Students 7,183 13,490 hours of services for an average of 1.9 hours per parent Parents 1,024 3,746 hours of services for an average of 3.7 hours per educator Educators

10. Last Year’s Successes • When compared to the previous year, the GEAR UP TN Class of 2013 college-going rate increased by 2 percent. • All GEAR UP TN Collaboratives designed and implemented new initiatives focused on college access and success. • Over 110 GEAR UP TN educators received professional development on the use of SAS Curriculum Pathways. • 17 GEAR UP TN high schools participated in Tennessee’s Seamless Alignment and Integrated Learning Support project. Over 600 GEAR UP TN seniors completed all SAILS requirements and graduated college-ready in mathematics. • Over 100 GEAR UP TN middle school educators participated in regional Financial Literacy Summits. • GEAR UP TN administered the ACT ENGAGE to over 7,000 cohort students. • In June, 168 students and 53 chaperones participated in the GEAR UP TN Youth Summit held on the campus of Belmont University. • Just this week, Bradley County’s Melissa Presswood was recognized as the first College Access Coach meaning she completed all five of the Lipscomb University College Access Project modules.

11. Where We Are Going • Refine GEAR UP TN implementation • Focus on data-driven decision making • Expansion of high impact interventions and best practices • Build the capacity to grow a college-going culture

12. Professional Development • The GEAR UP TN Central Office plans to offer several professional development opportunities this year, including: • How to Improve ACT Scores Through ACT Preparation • How to Help Students Secure Scholarships • Models for Parental Engagement • SAS Curriculum Pathways Train-the-Trainer • A Developmental Approach to Higher Education • A schedule of PD opportunities and dates will be emailed to project directors and site coordinators in the coming weeks.

13. Objectives and Agenda Agenda Welcome Collaborative Data Review and Goal Setting Path to College Events Overview of Tennessee Promise Using Data to Guide Students: ACT ENGAGE and CPS Funding Opportunity

14. MATT FREEMAN Data Analyst, GEAR UP TN Tennessee higher Education Commission Collaborative Data Review and Goal setting activity Leigh annbodie Assistant director of college access initiatives Tennessee higher Education Commission

15. Goal Setting Activity • Set local goals based on Collaborative-specific data for cohort and priority students • Intent is to help inform & focus services for upcoming year • Focus on: • Cohort student academic performance in 9th grade • Priority student FAFSA and College Enrollment

16. Goal Setting Activity • Data presented represents available data for GEAR UP TN participants • TCAP • Math course completion • FAFSA completion • College Enrollment • You may reference any additional school, state data in setting local goal

17. 10 minute break

18. Path to College events Kate Derrick Communications director, GEAR UP TN Tennessee higher Education Commission Troy grant Director of college access initiatives Tennessee higher Education Commission Diane lejeune Associate Executive Director for Communication Services Tennessee student assistance corporation Mary laphen Statewide services coordinator Tennessee higher Education Commission

19. Path to College Events • Path to College events increase the college-going culture in schools and provides increased insight to the college-going process as students approach high school graduation. • Events include: • College Planning Nights (junior year) • College Application Week (fall of senior year) • College Goal Tennessee (January/February of senior year) • College Signing Day (May of senior year) • Growing the success of College App Week and College Goal Tennessee and expanding innovative best practices with College Planning Nights and College Signing Days.

20. College Planning Nights • Parent-focused workshop on what parents need to know as their student prepares to enter senior year. • Event materials will be developed by a team of educators and college access professionals • Same format as College Application Week • Schools will register when they want to hold their event • THEC will provide schools with a resource guide, presentation materials, and marketing collateral to help promote the event • Materials are currently under development and will be released Spring 2015

21. College Application Week • September 29th to October 3rd • New “College Timeline” posters this year • Updated stickers • New social media options for College App Week! • Instagram: @CollegeforTN • Pinterest: @CollegeforTN • Twitter:@CollegeforTN • Facebook: CollegeforTN • Hashtags: #IApplied and #TNCollegeAppWeek • Webinar recording online on CollegeforTN.org

22. College Application Week Governor Bill Haslam on College App Week: https://www.dropbox.com/s/odvyx68qi2q6xou/college%20app%20week.mov?dl=0

24. TSAC is a state agency tasked with the oversight of the State of Tennessee’s Financial Aid programs for higher education. We administer : • HOPE Scholarship • TN Student Assistance Award • TN Promise Scholarship • General Assembly Merit Scholarship • Aspire Award • HOPE Access Grant • Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant • Dual Enrollment Grant • among other grants and scholarships “Like” us @ facebook.com/TnSAC “Follow” us on Twitter @TNFinancialAid

25. College Goal Tennessee Events Sponsored by TSAC At CGT events, students and parents can receive assistance with the completion of the FAFSA form. The FAFSA nights are held statewide in January and February. The deadline for students to complete the FAFSA is February 15th for TSAA Eligibility and TN Promise Deadline.

27. Questions? For more information: www.TN.gov/collegepays Diane LeJeune Associate Executive Director, TSAC 615.253.7452 diane.lejeune@TN.gov Jason Seay Director of Outreach & College Access 615.253.7459 jason.seay@TN.gov

28. College Signing Day Early May Celebrate Seniors who are continuing on to postsecondary education School-wide assembly or pep rally Encourage a college-going culture among underclassman

29. College Signing Day at Glencliff High School Video of Glencliff Signing Day: https://www.dropbox.com/s/f8lpxvlria5tmuu/Screen_2014_08_27_13_38_04.wmv?dl=0

30. Tennessee Promise: Status Update Mike Krause Executive Director, Drive to 55 and Tennessee Promise Office of the Governor

31. An Economic Imperative

32. The Partnering Organization: • Recruits and administers the volunteer mentor component • Monitors and administers the community service component • Assists with outreach and execution of the TN Promise application

34. Assumptions within the Model Mike Krause Mike.Krause@Tn.gov

35. GEAR UP TN’s Tennessee Promise Week Kate Derrick Director of communications, GEAR UP TN Tennessee higher Education Commission

36. Tennessee Promise Outreach • GEAR UP TN’s Tennessee Promise Week will be September 29thto October 3rd. • During this week, focus on outreach around Tennessee Promise and encouraging students to apply. • Give out additional Tennessee Promise push cards this week. • Send home the letters provided in the Tennessee Promise school resource guide. • Other ideas?

37. Tennessee Promise Activities • If you haven’t already, host a Tennessee Promise kickoff event, such as a pep rally, this week. • Set up a Tennessee Promise application station in the cafeteria or library. • Work with your partnering organization to hold a Tennessee Promise parent night. • Host a student panel with recent high school alumni currently attending a TCAT or community college. • Feature an article in the student newspaper on Tennessee Promise.

38. Materials Reminders Your county’s College App Week materials are available by the registration desk. Additional 21st Century Scholars materials are also available if you have new students.

39. Lunch GEAR UP TN 2013 Youth Summit Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDTrRjWTYf8

40. JayeChavis Treasury program manager Tennessee Department of treasury Tennessee Investments preparing scholars (T.I.P.S.) LaKesha Page Director of College savings Tennessee Department of Treasury

41. T.I.P.S. A Matching Grant Program for low-income families Tennessee Investments Preparing Scholars Program Overview

42. Overview of T.I.P.S. Program • Matching grant funds will be 4:1 Deposit to TNStarsT.I.P.S. Matching Grant (separate ‘shadow’ account)

43. What Income Level qualifies? Depending on family size, the household Federal Adjusted Gross Income must be less than amount shown. The 2013 federal adjusted gross income must be less than the amount shown: Family of 1 = $28,725 2 = $38,775 3 = $48,825 4 = $58,875 5 = $68,925 6 = $78,975 7 = $89,025 8 = $99,075 For family units of more than 8 members, See the Federal Register Participants must complete IRS form 4506-T (Request for Transcript) as consent for tax summary info to be provided to T.I.P.S. for income verification purposes

44. Qualifying Period – Fiscal Year 2015 “Qualifying period” means the time period as set by the Board each year during which a Purchaser must meet the conditions set forth in these Rules to be eligible for a Matching contribution, including the time period during which a Purchaser must file an application for the Matching contribution, meet the income eligibility level and make minimum contribution. The recommended qualifying period for the inaugural year is Oct. 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015.

45. Summary of T.I.P.S. Program • Target Date for T.I.P.S. launch – October 2014 • Initial amount of funds to be transferred from SMOB to TNStars (College Savings) - $1,000,000 • Program eligibility is based on Tennessee residents with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty level (2013 tax information will be used for the initial qualifying period) • Applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 2,000 applicants • $1,500 lifetime benefit per child • T.I.P.S. money will be invested in age-band based on beneficiary’s age • Matching Grant will be applied at the end of the qualifying period to the separate T.I.P.S. shadow account • Initial qualifying period: October 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015 • 4:1 match • $100/$25; • $200/$50; • $300/$75; • $400/$100; • $500/$125 (max for qualifying period) • Withdrawals may be used for post-secondary education • T.I.P.S. account owners may qualify for other TNStars marketing incentives

46. MATT FREEMAN Data Analyst, GEAR UP TN Tennessee higher Education Commission Using data to guide students: ACT Engage and College Planning Sessions Leigh annbodie Assistant director of college access initiatives Tennessee higher Education Commission

47. ACT Engage: What is it? • Administered to entire GEAR UP TN cohort in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade. • Completed entirely online. • Measures students’ behaviors and psychosocial attributes in three broad domains: • Motivation • Social Engagement • Self-Regulation • Benefits from ACT’s immense experience and data capabilities. • The results are exclusive- No one else has this information

48. ACT Engage Domains and Subscales • Motivation • Academic Discipline • Commitment to School • Optimism • Social Engagement • Family Attitude toward Education • Family Involvement • Relationships with School Personnel • School Safety Climate • Self-Regulation • Managing Feelings • Orderly Conduct • Thinking before Acting

49. ACT Engage: Grant-wide Results • Students in the at-risk category (scoring at or below the 25th percentile) are overrepresented in the following metrics: • Social Engagement: Family Attitude toward Education (28% at risk) • Positive family attitude toward the value of education • Motivation & Skills: Commitment to School (25% at risk) • Commitment to stay in high school and obtain a diploma • Academic Success Index (27% at risk) • Likelihood of experiencing academic difficulties, such as failing classes • Graduation Index (26% at risk) • Likelihood of earning a high school diploma in four years

50. ACT Engage: School-level Results • Students at-risk in academic success (below 25%ile) are overrepresented at 31 of 61 schools • One school shows 57% of students scoring in that range. • Students at-risk to not graduate are overrepresented at 26 of 61 schools • One school shows 58% of students scoring in that range.