CTL leads planning for statewide institute: Creating a College-Going Culture in Kentucky Middle and High Schools

November 10, 2008

CTL will once again lead planning with GEAR UP Kentucky and the GEAR UP Alliance for an annual statewide institute for educators on creating a college-going culture for middle and high school students. The GEAR UP Institute, planned for March 4, 2009 in Louisville, will coincide with the Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference (KTLC), the largest professional development-based conference in the state, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education. CTL planned and coordinated the 2008 GEAR UP Institute at KTLC, which was attended by more than 400 educators from throughout Kentucky.

GEAR UP, an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, is a national program that provides funding to states and local partnerships for programs that help prepare all students for postsecondary education.  GEAR UP Kentucky works under the auspices of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education with host institutions Northern Kentucky, Murray State, Morehead State, and Western Kentucky Universities, the University of Louisville, Hazard Community and Technical College, and the Fayette County Schools.  The organization is also part of the Kentucky GEAR UP Alliance that includes Green River Educational Cooperative GEAR UP, Western Kentucky Educational Cooperative GEAR UP and SOAR, Berea College GEAR UP, South Central GEAR UP, and the Kentucky Department of Education.

CTL, a non-profit firm known for its professional development work in literacy, mathematics and science, educational leadership, and learning in and through the arts, has worked since 2003 with GEAR UP Kentucky to develop the capacity of more than 100 participating schools to create a college-going culture and improve the rigor of classroom instruction. CTL has developed regional and statewide professional development opportunities for school leadership teams for teachers and for GEAR UP staff; worked with schools to assess alignment with state curriculum standards and the ACT College Readiness Standards; embedded GEAR UP goals and priorities within state-mandated school improvement plans; and helped classroom teachers to differentiate instruction so that all students achieve and are on track for college. 

Since 2006, CTL has also provided professional development, tools and school improvement processes to help GEAR UP middle and high school sites ensure a successful transition for students moving from middle to high school.

This year’s GEAR UP Institute will focus on transitions from middle to high school, and from high school to college, with emphasis on increasing student achievement through academic rigor, and the attitudes, behaviors and culture necessary to prepare students of all backgrounds and ability levels to attend college.  The Institute will consider such issues as the needs of high school freshmen, assessment, and parent engagement in the college preparation process.

In addition to planning and coordinating the March 4 Institute, CTL is developing a comprehensive guide to the tools and resources available to schools to promote student achievement and a college-going culture. CTL may also provide customized, on-site professional development support for up to 20 GEAR UP middle and high schools throughout Kentucky, helping them to ensure that students make a successful transition to high school and are on track for college. CTL’s assistance will include planning support, connecting resources to address specific needs, and gathering evidence of increased effectiveness in addressing transition issues.

“The work of the GEAR UP Alliance represents a collaborative effort to ensure that students in GEAR UP schools have access to rigorous instruction, and are supported in their efforts to achieve in high school and prepare for postsecondary education,” notes CTL President and COO Dr. Deborah Walker. “CTL is pleased not only to coordinate planning for the second annual Institute, but also to share its knowledge and experience in improving classroom practice and school culture.”

For more information, contact:
Dr. Deborah Walker
v: 502.895.9500 x328