WHAT: Photo and news opportunity as U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, Oklahoma's 4th District congressman and member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, attends the fifth annual Oklahoma GEAR UP Conference. He will be joined by additional national, state and local higher education leaders to speak with public school educators and learn more about Oklahoma's innovative strategies for student success, best practices in staff development and effective methods for school improvement.
Also, Senior Consultant for Learning 24/7 and the National School Conference Institute (NSCI) John Antonetti will speak to the GEAR UP group during a luncheon session on experiential education. He will discuss ensuring that all experiences for students are designed to produce the best person in heart, mind and soul.
In addition, the John Wesley Charter School Choir of Oklahoma City will give a 10-minute performance during the luncheon session.
WHO: Higher education leaders, public school educators and business partners
WHEN: Friday, Sept.
17, 2004, 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. – entire conference
12:30-12:40 p.m. – John Wesley Charter School Choir performance
12:45-2 p.m. – Antonetti’s luncheon address
2:15-3:15 p.m. - Cole's address
WHERE: Westin Hotel Oklahoma City, One North Broadway, Oklahoma City, Okla.
WHY: To celebrate student success in Oklahoma and to inform, engage and challenge schools, institutions and individuals in GEAR UP, a national program created to develop students' potential and help students, as well as their families, better prepare for college.
AGENDA: Click here to view a complete listing of conference sessions, activities and room locations. (PDF, 37k)
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Oklahoma with a state GEAR UP grant totaling $20.5 million in August 1999. The grant has been matched by more than $25 million from state and partner resources. With the addition of year six federal funding, Oklahoma's GEAR UP program has received approximately $25 million in federal funds since 1999. GEAR UP receives 50 percent of total funding from the federal government and 50 percent from other organizations.
