The Kalamazoo Promise and itsPotential Impact on Inequality

Dr. Michelle Miller-AdamsVisiting Scholar, W.E. Upjohn Institute

Kalamazoo Community FoundationOctober 2009

25-year KPS enrollment trend

9000

10000

11000

12000

13000

14000

15000

Fall Headcount

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Kalamazoo Promise Announced

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

2006 20072008 2009

KPS Graduates 517 579 549 515Eligible for Promise 409 502 475 455 % of graduates eligible 79% 87% 87% 88%

Used Promise 1st semester 303 359 370 370post-graduation % eligible who used Promise 73% 75% 78% 81%

1st semester post-graduation

Have Used Promise 339 414 388 370 % eligible who have used 83% 83% 82% 81%

Promise at any time

The Kalamazoo Promise:Usage by Race

2006 2007 2008 2009

% eligible h.s. graduates who have used Promise

83% 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 accessCultural change in the schoolsAlignment of community resources

Equalizing opportunity:universal college access

Elimination / simplification of financial barriers to college attendance

Other barriers persistK-12 achievement gap by income and raceLack of college readiness

Academic and social

Absence of role models / supportCultural: 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)

2008-09 2009-10

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

http://www.upjohninstitute.org/

Comments, questions, or suggestions: Michelle Miller-Adams

269-385-0436Miller-Adams@upjohninstitute.org

http://www.michellemilleradams.com