1. Progress and Challenges Dr. Michelle Miller-Adams Visiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute Associate Professor, Grand Valley State University November 2010

2. What is different about The Kalamazoo Promise? Announced 11/05, to continue in perpetuity Funded by anonymous private donors Place-based: Kalamazoo Public Schools Covers 65-100% 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 10 years to use scholarship Blending of educational and economic goals

3. Conceptual Framework A multi-dimensional asset-building strategy 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.

4. Enrollment Impact Reversal of long-term enrollment decline 20% enrollment growth since 2005 Enrollment increase the result of: Increased entry and 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 (regional) Opening of new schools (first in 4 decades) Redistricting to achieve better socioeconomic balance

5. 25-Year KPS Enrollment Trend

6. Impact on School 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 (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

7. Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship Use In first four years of program: 1,900 students received scholarships (81% of those eligible) 1,200 are currently enrolled $21.5 million spent 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%

9. Strategic Priorities for Kalamazoo

10. Regional Economic Impact No rise to date in housing sales or values School construction and other capital projects New residents attracted from outside of region 61% of scholarship recipients attend college locally New resources: KVCC’s Student Success Center, external grants Increased national profile of community; alignment around idea of an “Education Community” Regional initiatives: KACAN, KEEP

11. State and National Impact Continued interest in replication nationally El Dorado Promise, Pittsburgh Promise, New Haven Promise (?) Michigan as a national leader in college access Promise Zones: Public-private partnerships to provide universal, place-based scholarships in ten Michigan communities Michigan College Access Network (MCAN): Funding/support for local college access networks (KACAN) PromiseNet in Kalamazoo (June 2010) 200 attendees from 20+ states

12. For additional information: Kalamazoo Promise Research Web Site http://www.upjohninstitute.org Comments, questions, or suggestions: Michelle Miller-Adams 269-385-0436 miller-adams@upjohn.org http://michellemilleradams.com