Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 12, 1995 TAG: 9505120021
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If they do go on to higher education, they aren't likely to succeed without extra encouragement and academic assistance that traditional schools do not offer.
Most of them attend Roanoke middle schools, but some are in the city's alternative education program. Some have experienced academic and behavioral problems.
They are 130 rising eighth-graders, and they'll be the first to get an opportunity to participate in a program that will help encourage them to go to college and will better prepare them for it.
Partners for SUCCESS, a new program developed by Superintendent Wayne Harris, is designed to remove barriers that prevent many children from continuing their education. It will offer early planning, assistance and academic enrichment.
The program will provide summer campus sessions, tutors, financial aid, mentors and medical assistance for the students.
It will be a partnership of the city school system with Hollins College, Roanoke College and Virginia Western Community College.
First Union Bank will also participate and help provide financial support for the program.
The School Board was briefed on the program this week.
"This is a great example of the things that we need to be doing," said board member John Saunders. "Our superintendent should be commended for proposing it."
Twenty students from each of the city's six middle schools and 10 from the alternative education school have been nominated to participate. Teachers recommended students who have demonstrated the aptitude and motivation for college.
Through a screening process, the participants will be narrowed to 65 students.
Students will participate in summer sessions at the colleges each year until they graduate from high school. Summer offerings will include academic enrichment courses and financial planning.
Harris said students must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average with no D's or F's. They must meet the requirements for an academic diploma and take the PSAT college entrance examination during their sophomore year and the SAT during their junior year.
Parents also will be required to participate in selected activities with students
Harris said the participating colleges will guarantee admission to students in the program who graduate from high school and meet entrance requirements.
Mentors will also be provided to ease the transition to college for those students who decide to enroll.
Board Chairman Nelson Harris said he believes the program will have long-range benefits for the school system.
The program will begin this summer with three one-day college enrichment sessions. When the students are rising juniors and seniors, they will have three one-week college summer sessions.
by CNB