Earmarked for GEAR UP

   Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) announced today that Campbell County schools are receiving $1,158,710 as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) TN grant, which aims to increase the number of low-income students in Tennessee who are accessing and succeeding in higher education.

   The money will be awarded in seven budget periods starting June 1, 2018, and ending June 1, 2021.

   Campbell County GEAR UP Coordinator Monica Bane tells WLAF, “I am excited and happy to share some positive news about our school system.”

   “I am incredibly pleased to see these funds going towards supporting efforts in CampbellCounty to prepare students for success in college,” said Senator Yager. “This will provide valuable resources and opportunities for many students in Campbell County to further their education.”

   GEAP UP TN benefits middle and high school students in the following Campbell Countyschools: Campbell County High SchoolJellico High SchoolJacksboro Middle School,LaFollette Middle School, Jellico Elementary, Wynn Habersham Elementary, and Elk Valley Elementary. Students will receive tutoring, career guidance, comprehensive college advising, and mentoring that will continue through their first year of postsecondary education.

   “The school administrators, teacher, and students in Campbell County have a willingness to innovate and work diligently to ensure academic success. I was pleased to support their efforts to secure this grant, and I grateful for Representative Dennis Powers’ support and assistance in the House. Great things are ahead for students in Campbell County,” added Yager.

   This is Tennessee’s third GEAR UP grant. Tennessee’s first GEAR UP TN project, which began in 2005, resulted in a 22.8 percent increase in college-going rates in the nine rural school districts. Communities served by Tennessee’s second GEAR UP TN grant, which began in 2012, have shown impressive results, including over 9 percentage points of growth in college-going rates since 2012. Tennessee was one of ten states awarded a GEAR UP grant as part of the 2017 competition. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/19/2018-6AM)