By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – The University at Buffalo and the Buffalo Public Schools Tuesday announced a major new partnership that is intended to better prepare students for college.
Soon, faculty and researchers from across UB will begin working with teachers and students throughout the Buffalo school system.
UB President John Simpson said he will hire a special assistant to head the new office and coordinate the multidisciplinary program.
Simpson said major public universities are uniquely qualified to address critical social issues, such as education.
The Buffalo public schools are eager for the help. Superintendent James Williams said currently it takes 60 percent of their students more than four years to graduate. Only about forty percent of Buffalo graduates go on to college.
But Williams said this program could change that and become a national model that corporations and Foundations would support.
The Oishei Foundation is throwing its support behind the partnership. A two-year $485,000 grant will expand a program, led by a UB scientist at two Buffalo schools, that is teaching advanced methods in math and science.
Officals say the 21st century is a knowledge based economy that requires students to have post secondary education.
According to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, success of the program is crucial to the city.
District wide, the wholistic approach will involve everyone from experts on early childhood cognition to scientists trained to combat additions and behavioral problems.
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