The Kalamazoo Promise and the Path to College Readiness Michelle Miller-Adams, PhD W.E. Upjohn Institute Grand Valley State University Presentation at Michigan Pre-College & Youth Outreach Conference, November 16, 2009

What is the Kalamazoo Promise? Announced November 2005 Full college scholarships for every graduate of the Kalamazoo Public Schools Funded by anonymous donors To continue in perpetuity Flexible and generous terms of use Blend of educational and economic goals

Conceptual Framework a multi-dimensional asset-building strategy Scholarship program as catalyst Changes incentives for a broad range of actors  E.g., teachers, families, realtors Leads to creation and/or enhancement of human, social, and economic capital for the city and the region A financial investment that creates new assets for individuals and the community.

Potential Human Capital Outcomes - Support for college-going culture in K-12 system - New investments in educational resources - Reduced high school dropout rate and increased graduation rate - Narrowing of college attendance gap by income & race - Increased college attendance & completion rate - Narrowing of K-12 achievement gap - Creation of better-educated local workforce

Initial Impact on School District Reversal of long-term enrollment decline  17% enrollment growth since 2005  Runs counter to state and local trends  Low-income population has risen: 62% to 67%  Improvement in grade-to-grade retention Support for bond issue -> school construction  First schools built in district in 37 years Redistricting & socioeconomic balance  Elementary school low-income enrollment ranges from 32% to 95% Cultural shift in KPS

Projected Impact of Redistricting % of students qualifying for federal lunch programs Middle Schools - Hillside 52%65% - Maple St. 72%68% - Milwood 84%71% - Linden Grove n.a.72% High Schools - Central 53%58% - Norrix 64%60%

The Need for Community Alignment The Kalamazoo Promise is a human capital investment strategy; benefits flow to community as well as individual Community-based strategies as a response  Ensuring that every student is “college-ready”  Investing in pre-K education  Enlisting / engaging parents  Creating career paths that strengthen local economy  Strengthening alignment around broad goals of the Kalamazoo Promise

Strategic Priorities

Efforts to expand/improve early childhood programs  Adoption / coordination of new preschool curriculum Expansion of tutoring/mentoring activities  Hours of service provided to students through KCIS has doubled since Promise was announced.  Number of youth served by Big Brothers Big Sisters has almost doubled  Training in best practices for tutors Better coordination among youth-serving groups  KYDNET  Boys and Girls Club - Douglass Community Association partnership New student support programs at post-secondary level Impact on Student Support

New Educational Resources Commitment of new philanthropic resources Creation of new college-readiness resources  “Pass It On” – easy-to-use discussion tool for adults who work with at-risk youth to connect the dots between schools, careers, and college (available in the spring)  “The Essential Parenting Guide - Navigating Middle School and Beyond” -- practical, research- based advice from two local journalists on how parents can promote academic success.

The first comprehensive account of the Kalamazoo Promise, published 2009 Available from the W.E. Upjohn Institute at For more information: Michelle Miller-Adams