Learning Organizations List
- Appalachian Education Initiative
- Arts Kentucky
- Bay de Noc Community College
- Council of Chief State School Officers and IBM
- Eastern Kentucky University, College of Education
- Galef Institute
- Kentucky Arts Council
- Kentucky Center and the Education, Arts and Humanities Cabinet
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education/GEAR UP KY
- Kentucky Department of Education
- Kentucky Educational Television
- Martin Community College
- Measured Progress
- Murray State University, College of Education
- Phi Delta Kappa International
- Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence
- Satellite Education Resources Consortium
- University of Kentucky
- University of Louisville, College of Education and Human Development
- University of Memphis, College of Education
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education/GEAR UP KY
Inset photo: GEAR UP Kentucky Executive Director Yvonne Lovell (left) and CTL's Dr. Deborah Walker discuss a GEAR UP school training session agenda led by CTL.
GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded initiative, under the auspices of the National Council on Community and Education Partnerships, aimed at increasing the number of disadvantaged and minority students who attend college.
In Kentucky, the Council on Postsecondary Education administers GEAR UP, and CTL serves as a critical partner in the design and implementation of project components, including professional development with a focus on school leadership and instructional practice.
Math Mentoring and Coaching Project
CTL has launched a mathematics mentoring and coaching project in two high need, rural Kentucky school districts to build capacity for increased middle and high school mathematics instruction, and to codify for GEAR UP Kentucky an external coaching model that can be replicated in other schools.
Creating a College-Going Culture in GEAR UP Schools
Since 2003, CTL has worked with GEAR UP Kentucky to develop the capacity of more than 100 participating schools in creating a college-going culture and improving the rigor of classroom instruction. CTL's role has included developing regional and statewide professional development opportunities for school leadership teams, for teachers and for GEAR UP staff; working with each school to assess alignment with state curriculum standards as well as the ACT College Readiness Standards; embedding GEAR UP goals and priorities within state mandated school improvement plans; and helping classroom teachers to differentiate their instruction so that all students achieve and are on track for college.
For a second cycle of middle and high schools beginning in 2006, CTL has provided professional development, assessment tools and school improvement processes to help GEAR UP sites ensure a successful transition for students moving from middle to high school.
Go Higher Kentucky: College Access for All Campaign
CTL also worked in partnership with the Council on Postsecondary Education and GEAR UP Kentucky, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority, the Kentucky Department of Education and other state-level agencies, on the implementation of the Go Higher Kentucky: College Access for All campaign. This campaign was designed to build college-going cultures within Kentucky middle and high schools by engaging community partners in comprehensive long-range planning.
In addition, CTL developed for GEAR UP Kentucky a print and video parent toolkit that provides user-friendly guidance on helping middle and high school students prepare for postsecondary education.