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The Kalamazoo Promise and its Potential Impact on Inequality

The Kalamazoo Promise and its Potential Impact on Inequality. Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams Visiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute Kalamazoo Community Foundation October 2009. 18% enrollment increase since 2005 Portage Public Schools comparison – 3% decrease since 2004

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The Kalamazoo Promise and its Potential Impact on Inequality

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  1. The Kalamazoo Promise and itsPotential Impact on Inequality Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams Visiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute Kalamazoo Community Foundation October 2009

  2. 18% enrollment increase since 2005 • Portage Public Schools comparison – 3% decrease since 2004 • Arcadia Elementary’s enrollment steady – 337 in 2008 (up from 331 in 2005)

  3. The Kalamazoo Promise:Initial Impact on Students • Scholarship usage • 1,531 students have received scholarships • 1,103 are currently enrolled • Ninety percent of recipients attend four schools: • Kalamazoo Valley Community College (38%) • Western Michigan University (29%) • Michigan State University (13%) • University of Michigan (10%) • Persistence rates as of 9/09 • Class of 2006: 83% university, 26% community college • Class of 2007: 84% university, 34% community college • Class of 2008: 84% university, 50% community college

  4. 2006200720082009 KPS Graduates 517 579 549 515 Eligible for Promise 409 502 475 455 • % of graduates eligible 79% 87% 87% 88% Used Promise 1st semester 303 359 370 370 post-graduation • % eligible who used Promise 73% 75% 78% 81% 1st semester post-graduation Have Used Promise 339 414 388 370 • % eligible who have used 83% 83% 82% 81% Promise at any time

  5. The Kalamazoo Promise:Usage by Race

  6. A tool for reducing inequality? • Distinction between inequality of opportunities and inequality of outcomes • Program works to equalize both: • Universal college access • Cultural change in the schools • Alignment of community resources

  7. Equalizing opportunity:universal college access • Elimination / simplification of financial barriers to college attendance • Other barriers persist • K-12 achievement gap by income and race • Lack of college readiness • Academic and social • Absence of role models / support • Cultural: sense that “college isn’t for me” • Importance of defining college broadly

  8. Equalizing outcomes: cultural & structural change in the schools • Cultural: efforts to ensure that every student is “college-ready” • Early literacy, curriculum review, testing • College readiness course, AP offerings, credit recovery, weighted grades • Career awareness & preparation • Structural: socioeconomic integration of schools • Supported by enrollment increase & new school construction • Will it extend to elementary schools? Neighborhoods?

  9. Projected impact of redistricting on low-income enrollment (% of students qualifying for federal lunch programs)

  10. Alignment of community resources:the critical element • The Kalamazoo Promise is a human capital investment strategy; benefits go to community as well as individual • Community-based strategies • Ensure that every student is “college-ready” • Begin at the beginning (pre-K education) • Engage parents • Connect students with local workforce needs • Career development, internships • Strengthen alignment of community around broad goals of the Kalamazoo Promise: education + economic development

  11. Organizing Framework: Four Strategic Priorities Economic Development Student Support Urban Vitality Pre K-16 Education

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

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