The Kalamazoo Promise at Five

1. The Kalamazoo Promise at Five Progress and Challenges Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams Visiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University November 2010

2. What is different aboutThe Kalamazoo Promise? • Announced 11/05, to continue in perpetuity • Funded by anonymous private donors • Place-based: Kalamazoo Public Schools • Covers 65-100% of tuition and fees at all in-state, public post-secondary institutions for KPS graduates • Universal: every graduate is eligible • Minimum 4-year residency & enrollment • 10 years to use scholarship • Blending of educational and economic goals

3. Conceptual FrameworkA multi-dimensional asset-building strategy • Scholarship program as catalyst • Changes incentives for a broad range of actors • Teachers, 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.

4. Enrollment Impact • Reversal of long-term enrollment decline • 20% enrollment growth since 2005 • Enrollment increase the result of: • Increased entry and decreased exit rates • Stabilization of ethnic/racial distribution • Low-income population has risen: 62% to 70% • Increased resources for school district • Per-pupil funding structure • Support for bond issues (regional) • Opening of new schools (first in 4 decades) • Redistricting to achieve better socioeconomic balance

5. 25-Year KPS Enrollment Trend

6. Impact on School Culture • Emphasis on college readiness (K-12) • Expanded reading and writing blocks • Middle-school college awareness programming • Changes 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

7. Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship Use • In 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 institution • Students at four-year institutions: 85% • Students at two-year institutions: 47%

9. Strategic Priorities for Kalamazoo Regional Economic Development Community & Urban Vitality Family / Student Support Education Birth – Career

10. Regional Economic Impact • No rise to date in housing sales or values • School construction and other capital projects • New residents attracted from outside of region • 61% of scholarship recipients attend college locally • New resources: KVCC’s Student Success Center, external grants • Increased national profile of community; alignment around idea of an “Education Community” • Regional initiatives: KACAN, KEEP

11. State and National Impact • Continued interest in replication nationally • El Dorado Promise, Pittsburgh Promise, New Haven Promise (?) • Michigan as a national leader in college access • Promise 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) • PromiseNetin Kalamazoo (June 2010) • 200 attendees from 20+ states

12. For additional information:Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Sitehttp://www.upjohninstitute.orgComments, questions, or suggestions: Michelle Miller-Adams269-385-0436miller-adams@upjohn.orghttp://michellemilleradams.com