Dr. Janice M. Brown, The Kalamazoo Promise Brandy Johnson, Michigan College Access Network Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams, W.E. Upjohn Institute Presentation at College Board Forum 2010

Session outline Welcome and introductions The Kalamazoo Promise and the place-based scholarship model (Michelle) Leveraging the Kalamazoo Promise for community transformation (Janice) Creating a college-going culture statewide: Promise Zones and the Michigan College Access Network (Brandy) Questions and discussion

The Kalamazoo Promise and the place-based scholarship model Announced 11/05, to continue in perpetuity Funded by anonymous private donors Place-based: Kalamazoo Public Schools Covers % 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 Blending of educational and economic goals

Potential for community transformation 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.

Initial Impact – Enrollment & Resources Reversal of long-term enrollment decline 20% enrollment growth since 2005 Enrollment increase the result of: Increased entry rates 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 Opening of new schools (first in 4 decades)

25-Year KPS Enrollment Trend

Initial Impact – College-Going 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 # of students enrolled: +71% Economically disadvantaged :+148% African-American :+166% Hispanic :+400% Three years of rising test scores Improved community perceptions

Initial Impact - Scholarship Use To date: 1,900 students received scholarships (81% of those eligible) 1,200 are currently enrolled $21.5 million spent Almost 9 out of 10 recipients attend four schools: Kalamazoo Valley Community College (31%) Western Michigan University (32%) Michigan State University (13%) University of Michigan (11%) Persistence rates as of fall 2009 Class of 2006: 81% university, 24% community college Class of 2007: 84% university, 34% community college Class of 2008: 84% university, 50% community college

Leveraging the Kalamazoo Promise Community Engagement and Accountability Our Collective Vision: Our Vision is that Greater Kalamazoo will become a national-class center of learning, youth development and quality of life. The Kalamazoo Learning Network-membership Community Transformation Leverage the Promise Lift up Literacy Change the Culture Engage the Community Go Regional Get Results (learning, economic, quality of life)

Strategic Priorities for Kalamazoo

Statewide Strategies for Creating a College-going Culture LOCALLY 1) Replicating the Kalamazoo Promise statewide: Promise Zones 2) Building networks for college readiness: MCAN and Local College Access Networks (LCANs)

Statewide Strategies for Creating a College-going Culture LOCALLY 3) Strengthening college access/success initiatives within Promise Zones and LCANs: a) MichiganCAP: One-stop-shop web portal b) KnowHow2GO Michigan: Public awareness campaign c) Michigan College Advising Corps d) Achieving the Dream: Community College Success

Michigan Promise Zones Inspired by the Kalamazoo Promise Passed by the MI Legislature in January 2009 Public-private partnerships – Community-based fundraising + public tax capture in communities that meet or exceed the state's average poverty level Must include at least last-dollar funding for an associate's degree Place-based & Universal Promise Zones: Baldwin, Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Detroit, Hazel Park, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon, Pontiac, and Saginaw

College Access Strategies Promise Zones help prepare students for college financially. How can we ensure that students who receive Promise scholarships are also prepared… Socially Academically Informationally/Logistically Michigan’s response: MCAN & Local College Access Networks (LCANs)

Michigan College Access Network (MCAN) Statewide college access coordinating body Incubated in Governor’s Office with support from College Access Challenge Grant and strong steering committee Now a statewide nonprofit with additional support from MDE and the Kresge Foundation Mission: Dramatically increase the college participation and completion rates in Michigan, particularly among l0w-income and first-generation students of all ages Vision: Build/sustain strong communities and a vibrant economy based on a highly-educated population. Goal: increase of 60% by 2025

Local College Access Networks (LCANs) High-quality, community-based college access coordinating body Supported by a team of community and education leaders representing K-12, higher education, nonprofit sector, government, business, and philanthropy Commit to: Develop a strategic plan to leverage current and new assets in order to ensure every student is socially, academically, and informationally prepared to pursue postsecondary education Build a college-going culture within community using a common “brand” Integrate statewide college access strategies into community programming

MCAN support for LCANs Funding Technical Assistance Coordination Leadership/Advocacy Professional Development Implement MichiganCAP and KnowHow2GO Strengthen partner initiatives within LCANs

Michigan College Access Portal Announced in April 2009 by Governor Granholm One-stop web site for students to plan, apply, and pay for college Also will serve as a comprehensive tool for families, counselors, educators and others who are helping Michigan students prepare for college MichiganCAP went live in September:

KnowHow2GO Public awareness campaign sponsored by the Lumina Foundation, the Ad Council, and ACE. Designed to encourage low-income students and their families to take the necessary steps toward college PSAs urge young people to find someone who can help them get to college and direct students and their mentors to a website and other resources. Four steps: 1) Be a pain. 2) Push yourself. 3) Find the right fit. 4)Put your hands on some cash.

MCAN’s Partner Initiatives Strengthen LCANs by targeting other resources: Michigan Campus Compact GEAR UP Michigan College Advising Corps College Goal Sunday Achieving the Dream

For additional information: The Kalamazoo Promise Research on the Kalamazoo Promise Michigan College Access Network Comments, questions, or suggestions: Janice M. Brown, Brandy Johnson, Michelle Miller-Adams,