In 1999,29% of California's 9.35 million children under 18 were living at or below the poverty level, placing them at significant risk for compromised educational performance. At the same time, global forces have transformed the U.S. economy into a fast-paced, highly competitive, skills-based arena - one in which innovation and changing conditions result in a constant turnover of occupations. While the ride may be bumpy, the University seeks to provide research, guidance and support to help make the transition from school to the world of work as smooth as possible for today's youth. Teenagers enjoyed the California State Fair in Sacramento in 2000.