Evaluating Community-School Collaborations within a College Access Program: A Qualitative Study

In a GEAR UP partnership grant, collaboration is not just encouraged– it is required. These federal grants mandate a formal partnership between an institution of higher education, local education agency, and at least two community partners. The rationale behind this structure is that by working together, these entities can provide a comprehensive system of support to enhance college readiness. However, little to no research evaluates how these partnerships actually operate within a GEAR UP grant. Using a collective impact framework, this qualitative investigation examines the roles, relationships, and functionality of a community-school partnership within the context of a GEAR UP grant. Drawing on evaluation findings from over 60 interviews, this study explores how collaborative efforts between schools and community partners contribute to the effectiveness and sustainability of college access initiatives. Findings are organized around the following themes: shared vision, mutually reinforcing activities, data sharing, communication, shared leadership and community involvement.

Amelia Murray; Sabrina Gregersen; Meghan Ecker-Lyster