Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON— Today, Congressmen Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), and Filemon Vela (TX-34) announced over $88.4 million in federal awards for South Texas low-income students and Hispanic education. This funding comes from the Department of Education’s Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP). The awards will be allocated to the Region One Education Service Center (ESC) and Vanguard Academy Charter School to fund three educational programs over a seven-year period.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program
GEAR UP is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. With the awards announced today, South Texas students are continuing to see the direct benefits of the Congressman’s efforts. Specifically, the program provides multi-year grants to enable and maintain services at high-poverty middle and high schools. The awards also provide college scholarships to low-income students and fund support services for students, which include tutoring, mentoring, dual enrollment classes and college tours. It also increases students’ and parents’ knowledge and skills in fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
GEAR UP Academic Program Details
This funding will create and sustain three 7-year educational programs to assist South Texas students through their first year of college. Students who are at-risk, low-income, English Learners (EL) with the lowest academic achievement levels or learning disabilities will be targeted for aid.
College Ready, Career Set
$31,780,000 will go to ESC for a similar program called “College Ready, Career Set.” This program will aim to assist 5,675 students beginning at the 7th grade. It will also seek to implement a collegiate focused academic atmosphere enabling low-income, minority students or children with disabilities to attend college and start a successful career.
- $800 per student/year;
- 98% of target population is Hispanic, 55% live in poverty, and nearly 70% do not speak English at home; and
- Will be implemented in 26 middle schools and 17 high schools in 17 school districts.
College Now – Career Connected!
Additionally, ESC has been awarded $46,065,600 to initiate their “College Now – Career Connected!” program, which will target 8,226 7th grade students for assistance. Create Early College High School (ECHS) communities of highly-effective learners through the delivery of effective strategies that ensure ALL students are not only college ready but also graduate from college.
- $800 per student/year;
- 98% of target population is Hispanic, 55% live in poverty, and nearly 70% do not speak English at home; and
- Will be implemented in 30 middle schools and 18 high schools within 12 school districts (1 rural).
College SET – ARTs!
Vanguard has been awarded $10,640,000 for its “College SET – ARTs!” program, which will serve 1,900 students starting between grades K-7. This program is designed to foster a college-going environment in which low-income, minority students and those with disabilities can successfully transition from high school to college and eventually to a career.
- $800 per student/ year; and
- Will be implemented in 3 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 high school.
South Texas Educational Institutions
The recipients of these federal awards are well-established educational institutions whose services benefit students across South Texas. This funding will have widespread impacts throughout the region due to the strong academic partnerships that ESC and Vanguard maintain with other institutions and organizations.
Region One Education Service Center (ESC)
The Region One ESC is part of a state-wide system of 20 regional education service centers created by the 59th Texas Legislature to assist school districts across the state. Located in South Texas on the U.S-Mexico border, Region One ESC serves 37 school districts and 10 charter school systems in the seven-county area of Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata Counties.
Vanguard Academy Charter School
Vanguard Academy is a charter school system, designated as a Local Education Agency (LEA), located in the city of Pharr, Texas, along the U.S.-Mexico border. It includes four elementary schools and two middle/high schools. The institution’s purpose is to prepare students to be successful in their continuing education.
Academic Partnerships
ESC and Vanguard’s academic network and partnerships include The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Texas Southmost College, Texas A&M International University, RGV LEAD, Texas Graduate Center, South Texas Literacy Coalition, STEM Center of South Texas, Mission Economic Development Corporation, Workforce Solutions, AgileMind, ACT Inc., Qannection, KRGV 5, Valley Technical Academy, Texas Instruments, Reybotics, SEEDS Training, National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP), Successful Lifestyles, Princeton Review, SureScore, RGV Guardian, Vernier, EGI Youth Link, Sylvan and EGT Institute, Inc.
Low-Income and Hispanic Student Educational Appropriations
As a member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Cuellar helped secured over $1.5 billion in the U.S. House of Representative’s fiscal year 2019 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill which is designated to expand education programs for low-income and Hispanic student populations. These monies have provided funding for various initiatives including Federal TRiO Programs and Pell grants. Also included in the FY19 federal appropriations bill is $360 million, a $10 million increase from FY18, for GEAR UP allocations.
“I know firsthand the transformative power of education,” explained Congressman Cuellar. “I experienced it in my own life. We need to ensure that every student, regardless of their economic background, is prepared to compete in a 21st-century, competitive job market. These programs provide academic assistance to low-income and disadvantaged students, ensuring that they have the resources they need to succeed. I would like to thank Congressmen Gonzalez and Vela with their help on this issue. Together, we will continue to work to make South Texas stronger.”
“Access to higher education starts long before the application process,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “More funding for low-income students represents a path to success for all students – no matter their circumstance. I thank Congressmen Cuellar and Vela for their collaboration to advocate for education opportunities of students across their respective districts. Congratulations to each school district and education program that has received funding and congratulations to the students who will benefit. I will continue to do my part to secure more federal funds for South and Central Texas.”
“We need to do everything within our power to ensure that every student has access to the life-changing benefits of higher education despite barriers such as economic background,” Congressman Vela said. “South Texas students will benefit from these programs as they prepare for and enter into post-secondary education. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Congressmen Cuellar and Gonzalez to expand educational opportunities to students all across South Texas.”
