the kalamazoo promise at five: progress and challenges
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The Kalamazoo Promise at Five: Progress and Challenges. 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Kalamazoo Promise at Five:Progress and Challenges
Dr. Michelle Miller-AdamsVisiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute
Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University
Presentation to Kiwanis Club of KalamazooMay 18, 2011
The Kalamazoo PromiseAnnounced November 2005, to continue in perpetuity
Funded by anonymous private donors
Place-based: Kalamazoo Public SchoolsCovers 65-100% of tuition and fees at any in-state, public post-
secondary institution for KPS graduates
Universal: every graduate is eligibleMinimum 4-year residency & enrollmentBlending of educational and economic goals10 years in which to use funding
Why is the Kalamazoo Promise a uniquely effective tool for community transformation?
UniversalityAnonymityPerpetuity
Scholarship program serves as a catalyst
Changes incentives for many types of actorsTeachers, 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 & ResourcesReversal of long-term enrollment decline
20% enrollment growth since 2005Increased entry rates and decreased exit ratesStabilization of ethnic/racial distributionLow-income population has risen: 62% to 69%
Increased resources for school districtPer-pupil funding structureSupport 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
9000
10000
11000
12000
13000
14000
15000
Academic Year
Fa
ll H
ea
dco
un
t
Kalamazoo Prom-ise Announced
Initial Impact – College-Going CultureEmphasis on college readiness (K-12)
Increased Advanced Placement enrollment (2007-10)# of AP courses taken: + 174%# of students enrolled + 130%
Economically disadvantaged -- 63 to 259 students African-American -- 53 to 211 students Hispanic -- 8 to 68 students
Three years of rising test scores
Improved community perceptions
Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship UseIn 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 institutionStudents 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 ImpactEconomic impact has been constrained by weak state
and regional economyHousing market, population growth, etc.
Indirect economic benefitsNew students and families moving to districtNew financial resources for school district(s)Local use of scholarshipsSchool construction activityHigher national profile (awards, media coverage, etc.)Alignment of organizations around education as engine of
economic development
Key Lesson of ResearchKalamazoo Promise holds potential to transform
community and region.
Scholarship alone is not enough.
Community engagement is essentialEnsure that every student is “college-ready”Connect education and workforce systemsMove beyond KPS to regional focus on education
(e.g., KACAN)
State and National Impact
Annual PromiseNet conferences, 2008-2011200 participants from 20+ statesPromiseNet 2011, Pittsburgh, October 19-21
Creation of Promise-type programsEl Dorado (AK), Pittsburgh, Denver, and 20+ othersMichigan Promise Zones in 10 low-income
communitiesConcerns about universality
For additional information:Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Site
http://www.upjohninstitute.org
Comments, questions, or ideas are most welcome!
Michelle Miller-Adams269-385-0436
[email protected]://michellemilleradams.com
http://thepromiseofkalamazoo.com