NC needs more workers with degrees beyond high school. This $25 million aims to help.
North Carolina residents don’t have the education they need to fill the majority of jobs the state needs, because less than half have a college degree or postsecondary credential.
But the UNC System is hoping that a new $25 million grant can help fix that by targeting disadvantaged high school students.
Last year, 47% of North Carolina adults ages 25-64 had a postsecondary degree or credential. Yet at least 60% of jobs require one, according to a UNC-Chapel Hill study. The researchers said reaching K-12 students, particularly minority students, is a key to improving educational attainment and North Carolina’s economic growth.
The UNC System is taking on that challenge by expanding its support services through a seven-year, $25.7 million grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education for the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP).
GEAR UP is designed to better prepare low-income students to attend and succeed in postsecondary education, including colleges, universities and technical or vocational schools. The grant is targeted toward 15 high schools across multiple school districts, with a focus on schools with low college enrollment rates and in financially disadvantaged areas.
Teaching about life after high school
The grant’s goals are to increase academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education, and to increase high school graduation and college enrollment rates. It also aims to educate students and families of different postsecondary options, preparation requirements and financing.
“This grant combines innovative thinking, rigorous evaluation, and the support of key partners to increase academic achievement across North Carolina,” Shun Robertson, UNC System senior associate vice president for P20 Policy and Programs, said in a statement. “Postsecondary support is essential to ensure that students, particularly first-generation students, complete the enrollment process, persist in college, and eventually earn a postsecondary credential.”
Starting this year, 6th and 7th grade students and their families in five middle schools will receive customized instruction to improve math and science preparation, afterschool and summer academic enrichment, and access to STEM and computer science apprenticeship opportunities, according to the UNC System. Those students will continue to get support services throughout high school and in their first year of postsecondary education.
Those students’ respective feeder high school will also receive GEAR UP priority services, along with 10 other high schools.
Virtual reality college tours
When those students enter their senior year, they and their families will get financial aid counseling and college advising to help them find the right school for them.
The grant will also expand the reach of the virtual reality app students can use to “tour” the state’s 16 college campuses from home or their high school. When the app launched in 2018, students at 21 high schools were given cardboard virtual reality headsets and earbuds to view the campuses on their phones.
The GEAR UP VR app was designed for first-generation students and others who might not be able to travel across the state. Students and their families can also download the app and watch 360 videos of campuses on their phones without the VR headsets.
The UNC System is partnering with the College Foundation of North Carolina, the NC Community College System, NC State Education Assistance Authority, College Foundation, Inc., and other local education agencies on this effort.
“The UNC System looks forward to working with our partners, helping to create greater access, preparation and awareness of college options for students,” UNC System interim President Bill Roper said in a statement. “We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Education for this grant, and we are confident that these funds will change lives by creating greater access to higher education for many North Carolinians.”
This story was originally published January 11, 2020 at 9:00 AM with the headline "NC needs more workers with degrees beyond high school. This $25 million aims to help.."
