Riverside Unified, Cal State San Bernardino Help Students Work Toward College

Focus is on high school college preparedness in the Riverside Unified School District. RUSD and Cal State San Bernardino recently signed an agreement ensuring admission to the state college for qualifying RUSD students. The memorandum of understanding will become effective during the 2015-2016 academic year, officials stated. Cal State San Bernardino President Tomás D. Morales said, "We believe this partnership will help build new educational opportunities for students from throughout the district and elevate both the college-going and college-completion rates in our area, which is among the lowest in the nation — a situation we’re all committed to changing." Riverside Unified Superintendent David Hansen said, "By working together with our partners in higher education, we hope to truly open the world to our graduates. As part of the cross-over program, Riverside Unified will provide incoming high school freshmen with an academic program and appropriate advising to help them meet California State University eligibility requirements, according to officials at CSUSB. This eliminates the need for remedial courses when they are in college. “It is crucial that students are prepared to go to college when they graduate from high school,” Morales said. “This process begins at an early age, and CSUSB is committed to working with P-12 (pre-school to 12th grade) school districts and all educational stakeholders to ensure college-readiness.” Riverside Unified School District joins 12 other school districts throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties who have signed similar agreements with Cal State San Bernardino.