The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has announced the state will receive $18.6 million dollars in federal funds to help support college readiness. Hoopeston Area Middle School is one of 25 middle schools and 25 high schools in Illinois that will share in the funding over the next seven years.
The funding is from the ‘Gaining Early Awareness for Undergraduates Program’ – also known as GEAR UP.
‘’We have worked with our community partners for many years to build a path for our students to reach their goals,’’ said Hoopeston Area Middle School Principal Anne Burton. ‘’ILGU (Illlinois Gear Up) will provide the roadmap and much needed financial and other supports to help us construct that self-sustaining path,’’ added Burton. ‘’What I love about the program,’’ continued Burton, ‘’is that it will provide a host of similar services to each school, but the paths that get built will be unique to the needs of the school.’’
The grant money will provide early intervention with middle and high schools selected across Illinois to raise the expectations of low-income students and improve high school graduation rates.
