Goal
To promote access to higher education for low -income students. This project is aimed at 7^th graders in 14 of Oakland's middle schools.

Background
This project is built upon the experience of the Oakland Partnership Program gained during the past five years. Interns in the partnership will serve as academic coaches at school sites where they are teaching.

Four strands will affect the needs of the middle school students:

1. Academic Strand
   • After school " Power Seminars" will be offered twice a week to strengthen skills in Math, Science, and Language Arts.
   • Saturday Thematic College Orientation Seminars will include advising on how to prepare for college and visits to various local college campuses.
   • Summer classes will be offered on college campuses.
   • Computer skills will be taught to facilitate a NET PALS program with college students and local community business groups (caring adult supporters).

2. 2. Parent Strand
   • A Parent Support Center will be set up at each school site to develop effective parenting skills and parental support skills to guide students toward thinking about attending college.
   • Monthly Parent orientation workshops will be organized to promote college connections.

3. 3. Partnership Strand
   • Community support from local business groups such as Merrill Lynch, Barnes & Noble, CNET, KMEL, City of Oakland has already been committed. Further support will be sought to promote the Dollars for Scholars Scholarship fund. Students earn academic "points" for classroom successes and good attendance; these then translate into scholarship money.
   • Career exploration field trips to local employers will be organized.

4. 4. Systematic Change Strand
   • All personnel from each strand will promote the project objective of acting as a change agent to foster a community culture that encourages college attendance.