Students gain promise with citywide program

Current sixth graders attending schools in the Long Beach Unified School District were granted a "promise" courtesy of a pledge signed by leaders of the city's three districts on Thursday, March 20 at the Walter Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach.LBCC President Eloy Oakley, Cal State President F. King Alexander and Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Chris Steinhauser signed the "Long Beach College Promise," a 10-year commitment that will be implemented starting this Fall.

The joint effort would begin outreach to parents and students in the sixth grade and continue through their senior year of high school. The promise also would inform them of financial aid and college opportunities and preparation courses.

Oakley said, "This idea sprang up from a meeting earlier this year in a meeting between Steinhauser and Alexander and me. We have a common cause which is making sure students have the best information and resources to continue their education."

He added, "LBCC will be able to provide local students with assistance financially and educationally to make sure they are successful."

One of LBCC's roles in the partnership includes offering a tuition-free first semester for incoming students by 2011 through the college's Gateway to Greatness program.

Oakley said during the signing that LBCC plans to raise $6 to $7 million to create an endowment to fund the semester and the LBCC Foundation will seek public and private donations to raise funds for the plan. More than $4 million has been pledged, he added.

Conducting college tours, emphasizing the importance of a college education and informing students and their parents about taking college preparatory courses will be among the K-12 district's goals.

LBCC student Javier Rijo said, "It sounds like a good idea. I've been attending schools in the city all my life, so it's nice to see the leaders getting together to make something happen. Hopefully, this increases the number of kids who want to go to college.