Thank you for your continued partnership in helping West Virginia's students through the West Virginia (WV) GEAR UP program. GEAR UP stands for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs. West Virginia was one of only four states that received this funding in 2021. This exciting program serves 11 counties for 7 years through a $24.5 million-dollar federal grant and your students will reap the benefits! The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (WVHEPC) was selected by former Governor Jim Justice to serve as the fiscal agent for the program. The WVHEPC has selected ICF to study the overall impact of the GEAR UP grant to not only determine if goals are being met, but to find ways to improve services impacting your students and their families for the grant's duration.

GEAR UP asks that all teachers and staff complete the survey to better serve your school. The survey includes questions about you and your role at your school, your school’s college-going culture, college and financial aid knowledge, and involvement in and implementation of school activities. This survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. Filling out this survey is voluntary. You can skip questions or stop taking the survey at any time. Your answers to the survey questions will be kept private. We will only summarize answers to questions across personnel. Your name will not be on the survey and your individual answers will not be shared with anyone at your school. Completing the survey will help to improve college and career programs at your school and other schools in West Virginia.

If you have any questions about the survey, you can contact Kimberly Good with ICF at kimberly.good@icf.com or (989) 573-3679. If you have questions about your rights as a research subject, you can contact Christine Walrath at christine.walrath@icf.com or (646) 695-8154.