The Kalamazoo Promise at FiveProgress and Challenges

Dr. Michelle Miller-AdamsVisiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute

Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University

November 2010

What is different aboutThe Kalamazoo Promise?

Announced 11/05, to continue in perpetuity

Funded by anonymous private donors

Place-based: Kalamazoo Public SchoolsCovers 65-100% of tuition and fees at all in-state, public post-

secondary institutions for KPS graduates

Universal: every graduate is eligibleMinimum 4-year residency & enrollment10 years to use scholarshipBlending of educational and economic goals

Conceptual FrameworkA multi-dimensional asset-building strategy

Scholarship program as catalyst

Changes incentives for a broad range of actorsTeachers, parents, business, residents, realtors, etc.

Leads to creation and/or enhancement of human, social, and economic capital for the city and region

A financial investment that creates new assets for individuals and the community.

Enrollment ImpactReversal of long-term enrollment decline

20% enrollment growth since 2005Enrollment increase the result of:

Increased entry and decreased exit ratesStabilization of ethnic/racial distributionLow-income population has risen: 62% to 70%

Increased resources for school districtPer-pupil funding structureSupport for bond issues (regional)Opening of new schools (first in 4 decades)Redistricting to achieve better socioeconomic balance

25-Year KPS Enrollment Trend

1985

-86

1986

-87

1987

-88

1988

-89

1989

-90

1990

-91

1991

-92

1992

-93

1993

-94

1994

-95

1995

-96

1996

-97

1997

-98

1998

-99

1999

-00

2000

-01

2001

-02

2002

-03

2003

-04

2004

-05

2005

-06

2006

-07

2007

-08

2008

-09

2009

-10

2010

-11

9000

10000

11000

12000

13000

14000

15000

Fall Headcount

Aca

de

mic

Ye

ar

Kalamazoo Prom-ise Announced

Impact on School CultureEmphasis on college readiness (K-12)

Expanded reading and writing blocksMiddle-school college awareness programmingChanges in middle-and high-school scheduling

Increased Advanced Placement enrollment (2007-10)# of AP courses taken: + 174%# of students enrolled + 130%

Economically disadvantaged -- 63 to 259 students African-American -- 53 to 211 students Hispanic-- 8 to 68 students

Three years of rising test scores

Improved community perceptions

Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship UseIn first four years of program:

1,900 students received scholarships (81% of those eligible)1,200 are currently enrolled$21.5 million spent

Most recipients (85%) attend four schools: Kalamazoo Valley Community College (30%)Western Michigan University (31%)Michigan State University (14%) University of Michigan (10%)

Positive outcomes vary across type of institutionStudents at four-year institutions: 85%Students at two-year institutions: 47%

Strategic Priorities for Kalamazoo

Regional Economic ImpactNo rise to date in housing sales or valuesSchool construction and other capital projects New residents attracted from outside of region61% of scholarship recipients attend college locallyNew resources: KVCC’s Student Success Center,

external grantsIncreased national profile of community; alignment

around idea of an “Education Community”Regional initiatives: KACAN, KEEP

State and National ImpactContinued interest in replication nationally

El Dorado Promise, Pittsburgh Promise, New Haven Promise (?)

Michigan as a national leader in college accessPromise Zones: Public-private partnerships to provide

universal, place-based scholarships in ten Michigan communities

Michigan College Access Network (MCAN): Funding/support for local college access networks (KACAN)

PromiseNet in Kalamazoo (June 2010)200 attendees from 20+ states

For additional information:Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Site

http://www.upjohninstitute.org

Comments, questions, or suggestions: Michelle Miller-Adams

269-385-0436miller-adams@upjohn.org

http://michellemilleradams.com