Texting is Helping W.Va. Students Get Ahead in Higher Ed

West Virginia GEAR UP implemented a texting program to determine if texting can help students persist in their first year of college. Results show that students were 7% more likely to persist when they received text message reminders; this number is 8% for students from rural areas. One student said that deadline reminders really help keep her on track – between work, cheer, and teaching (not to mention coursework), reminders are incredibly helpful for her. Many hope to see the texting initiative continue to grow in West Virginia so that students, particularly first-generation students, have extra support to help them persist.