GEAR UP Iowa: ACT Initiatives and Outcomes

(2020) GEAR UP Iowa: ACT Initiatives and Outcomes. College Student Aid Commission

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Abstract

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal grant program that awards funding to states and large partnerships with the goal of increasing postsecondary attainment rates for low-income students. Iowa College Aid is currently administering its second GEAR UP grant (GUI 2.0). GUI 2.0 chose to focus on ACT test preparation and administration during the students’ 11th-grade year. This was done by requiring GUI 2.0 partners to offer districtwide ACT testing that occurred during the school day and was free for students. Access to the ACT not only helped students accomplish a step that is important for college enrollment, but also allowed students to see their potential. For instance, an additional 100 students tested as eligible to attend a Regent university in Iowa, compared to the past few years. In addition, GUI 2.0 helped students succeed by administering a practice test, which improved scores by approximately half a point. The largest effects were seen when students took part in both the pre-test and the test preparation services, with a typical gain on the composite score of 0.7 points.