Parents of 44 eighth graders were recognized for learning how to help their children prepare for higher education.
A dinner and graduation ceremony Tuesday culminated the nine-week Parent Empowerment Program at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. Participants also received free mugs and shirts.
A service of UC Merced, the program aims to empower parents to understand how to help their children navigate the myriad issues related to financing higher education and matriculating to a college or university, according to the Center for Educational Partnerships at UC Merced.
Workshops were held at Madera high schools and included an introduction to the University of California and California State University systems, requirements, K-12 standardized exams and financial aid...