Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams Visiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University Presentation to Kiwanis Club of Kalamazoo May 18, 2011

The Kalamazoo Promise Announced November 2005, to continue in perpetuity Funded by anonymous private donors Place-based: Kalamazoo Public Schools Covers % of tuition and fees at any in-state, public post-secondary institution for KPS graduates Universal: every graduate is eligible Minimum 4-year residency & enrollment Blending of educational and economic goals 10 years in which to use funding

Why is the Kalamazoo Promise a uniquely effective tool for community transformation? Universality Anonymity Perpetuity

Scholarship program serves as a catalyst Changes incentives for many types of actors Teachers, parents, business, residents, realtors, other districts, etc. Leads to creation and/or growth of human, social, and economic capital for individuals, the city, and the region IF the community is aligned. “There’s the money, and then there’s everything else.” Dr. Janice Brown, Kalamazoo Promise

Initial Impact – Enrollment & Resources Reversal of long-term enrollment decline 20% enrollment growth since 2005 Increased entry rates and decreased exit rates Stabilization of ethnic/racial distribution Low-income population has risen: 62% to 69% Increased resources for school district Per-pupil funding structure Support for bond issues (regionally) Construction of new schools (first in 4 decades) Redistricting for better socioeconomic balance Elementary schools range from 35-97% low-income

25-Year KPS Enrollment Trend

Initial Impact – College-Going Culture Emphasis on college readiness (K-12) Increased Advanced Placement enrollment ( ) # of AP courses taken:+ 174% # of students enrolled + 130% Economically disadvantaged to 259 students African-American to 211 students Hispanic -- 8 to 68 students Three years of rising test scores Improved community perceptions

Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship Use In first five years of program: 2,000 students received scholarships (84% of those eligible) 1,100 are currently enrolled $25 million paid out in scholarship funds 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%

The Challenge of Ensuring Student Success Use of Kalamazoo Promise by race closely matches demographics of eligibility for the program. Use of Kalamazoo Promise by low-income students closely matches demographics of school district. However… Low-income students are more likely to attend 2-year rather than 4-year institutions. Low-income students are more likely to struggle once in college.

Economic Impact Economic impact has been constrained by weak state and regional economy Housing market, population growth, etc. Indirect economic benefits New students and families moving to district New financial resources for school district(s) Local use of scholarships School construction activity Higher national profile (awards, media coverage, etc.) Alignment of organizations around education as engine of economic development

Key Lesson of Research Kalamazoo Promise holds potential to transform community and region. Scholarship alone is not enough. Community engagement is essential Ensure that every student is “college-ready” Connect education and workforce systems Move beyond KPS to regional focus on education (e.g., KACAN)

State and National Impact Annual PromiseNet conferences, participants from 20+ states PromiseNet 2011, Pittsburgh, October Creation of Promise-type programs El Dorado (AK), Pittsburgh, Denver, and 20+ others Michigan Promise Zones in 10 low-income communities Concerns about universality

For additional information: Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Site Comments, questions, or ideas are most welcome! Michelle Miller-Adams