This project grew out of efforts on the part of a UC Systemwide Taskforce to address the continuous decline in black student eligibility for UC campuses throughout California. The project aims at addressing this issue through the development of partnerships between the University and urban schools. The first partnership was established at Lowell Junior High School in West Oakland. With funding from the UC Office of the President, the San Francisco Foundation, and the Presidential Grant for School Improvement (PGSI), the Lowell project aims at bringing about comprehensive school reform. This is being done through 1) on-going staff development in the areas of classroom management, teaching and learning styles, and curriculum development; 2) increasing the provision of social services to students and their families at the school site; and 3) increasing parental and community involvement.The principal investigator is Pedro Noguera.