TEAM GEAR UP Overview & Theory of Change

TEAM GEAR UP · Overview

Coordinating an 18-Partner Community Partnership to Advance Milwaukee Students

A seven-year U.S. Department of Education GEAR UP award to Milwaukee Public Schools, serving 4,000+ students in 28 MPS schools from grade 4 through year 1 of postsecondary education.

4,000+ Students28 MPS Schools18 Partners5 GPRAs7 years Grant Cycle

Overview & Theory of Change

TEAM GEAR UP (TGU) coordinates 18 partner organizations — direct service providers, postsecondary institutions, evaluators, and technical-assistance partners — to move students toward five federal GPRA outcomes.

Model of Change

If TGU coordinates a community partnership of 18+ partners that delivers a stacked, GPRA-aligned continuum of advising, tutoring, mentoring, dual enrollment, career exposure, family engagement, and college transition supports — guided by the six TGU Guiding Principles and continuously informed by SREED evaluation and SCRIBE data — then more Milwaukee Public Schools students from underrepresented backgrounds will (a) pass Algebra I by 9th grade, (b) graduate from high school on time, (c) complete the FAFSA, (d) enroll at an IHE, and (e) persist to the second year of postsecondary education.

If-Then Chain

IF
TGU equips MPS teachers and partner staff with sustained PD, dual-credit certification, and instructional resources (UWM, MATC, WestEd, Cambridge, TI)
THEN
Students in TGU classrooms have access to higher-quality, more rigorous instruction in math and literacy
IF
Students receive year-round high-impact tutoring and academic acceleration (Cambridge, Learn It, One on One, CAA, Northwestern CTD)
THEN
More TGU students reach math/literacy proficiency by 8th grade and pass Algebra I by end of 9th grade (GPRA 1)
IF
TGU advisors, mentors, and Be Great coaches sustain 1:1 case management, ACP completion, and socio-emotional supports (BGCM, Mentor MKE, MSK, NCCEP, NAF)
THEN
More students stay on-track in 10th grade, develop college-going identities, and graduate from HS on time (GPRA 2)
IF
TGU expands DE seats and supports HS teachers in earning dual-credit certification (MATC, UWM, M3)
THEN
More TGU students earn college credit before HS graduation, lowering postsecondary cost and time-to-degree
IF
TGU saturates 11th–12th grade with FAFSA, college, and scholarship application support and college visits (BGCM Grad Plus, NCCEP, MATC, UW campuses)
THEN
More TGU students complete the FAFSA (GPRA 3), apply to multiple colleges and scholarships, and enroll at an IHE the fall after graduation (GPRA 4)
IF
TGU continues M3 Smart Start coaching, scholarships, and transition supports into year 1 of college (MATC, UWM)
THEN
More TGU enrollees persist to year 2 at the initial or a subsequent IHE (GPRA 5)

Six Guiding Principles

Maximize Collaboration

Shared objectives and strategies across district, advisory groups, and partners build sustainable supports for students and families.

Student Voice & Family Engagement

Programming is centered on student and family input through workshops, surveys, and advisory groups.

Education Prepares Graduates for Life

Programming honors multiple post-HS pathways: 2-/4-year college, technical diplomas, apprenticeships, military, direct workforce entry.

Leveraging Emerging Technologies

Innovative tech and digital tools (e.g., TI, YES) elevate teaching and learning for the 21st century.

Dual Enrollment

Personalized DE advising and an expanded portfolio of DE courses and pathways drive postsecondary enrollment.

Data-Informed Decision Making

District-/student-level data, partner inputs, and evaluator findings drive proactive and reactive interventions throughout the grant cycle.