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 Arcadia Elementary’s enrollment steady – 337 in 2008 (up from 331 in 2005)

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

KPS Graduates Eligible for Promise % of graduates eligible79% 87% 87%88% Used Promise 1 st semester post-graduation % eligible who used Promise73%75%78%81% 1 st semester post-graduation Have Used Promise % eligible who have used83%83% 82%81% Promise at any time

The Kalamazoo Promise: Usage by Race % eligible h.s. graduates who have used Promise 83% 82%81% % of eligible African- Americans who have used Promise 81%79%81%n.a. % of eligible Caucasians who have used Promise 86%85%83%n.a.

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

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

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?

Projected impact of redistricting on low-income enrollment (% of students qualifying for federal lunch programs) Middle Schools - Hillside 52%65% - Maple St. 72%68% - Milwood 84%71% - New school n.a.72% High Schools - Central 53%58% - Norrix 64%60%

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

Organizing Framework: Four Strategic Priorities

For additional information: Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Site Comments, questions, or suggestions: Michelle Miller-Adams