Version of April 4, 2008
Report from Richard Pinneau, PhD, to 2010 Education and Lifelong Learning Task Force
Background note:
Many of the social, economic, and educational statistics in which Pueblo ranks near the bottom of Colorado and the nation parallel the
conditions in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In November 2005 the Kalamazoo Public Schools announced a dramatic intervention designed to boost public
school enrollment and graduation rates, college enrollment, and consequentially the attractiveness of Kalamazoo as a home for middle class
residents and well-paying employers. By November 2006 there was already a report on National Public Radio (link: below) of substantial positive impact from the
new "Kalamazoo Promise" program. The notes below are designed to spark discussion of how a similar intervention might provide a "boot-strap"
boost to Pueblo. If it could be modified and applied to Pueblo, it might achieve a virtual "Pueblo Renaissance." —gro.sevreSolbeuP@REEP, draft of May 23, 2007 (with minor additions, Spring 2008).
The most current version of these notes can be found at www.PuebloServes.org/renaissance, along with hotlinks so that you can follow immediately the online links at page bottom.
Students who graduate from Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) are assured 65%-100% (depending on time in KPS) of college tuition/fees for up to 4 years at public college or university in Michigan.
Students must have been KPS students four or more years, with continuous residency and enrollment. If college gpa dips below 2.0, they will not receive next term's tuition until gpa again reaches 2.0.
Legally-binding funding for this project has been secured for at least the next 12 years to fund what the program will cost once full 4-year contingent is in school, and it is intended to be renewed 'indefinitely.' (A Pueblo informant says that the vast majority comes from *one* benefactor.)
Enrollment (after years of decline) in KPS was up 10% for the fall after program's Nov. 2005, announcement.
Real Estate sales and prices (depressed for years) were up ~5% one year after initial announcement.
Long-term impacts on educational system are being researched (link below).
Of 500 KPS graduates in 2006, about 80% *qualified* for KZP. Figures online now show how many have seized the opportunity or how much has been paid out. Initial estimates say about 70% of KZP students will attend college at a KZ college (WMU or KVCC). —Public Life Advocate
Most students using KZP scholarships are also getting aid such as Pell grants to help with other costs such as room/board/books.
How the program developed in KZ (source: Public Life Advocate):
Funding started with KPS superintendent and KZ leaders who studied for years how to boost KPS.
These community leaders formed four subgroups to investigate:
• Involvement and support of public schools.
• Regional educational support (e.g., from colleges, other scholarship funds).
• Intergovernmental and political relationships.
• Economic development.
• Smaller groups handled media, marketing, other detailed tasks.
gro.sevreSolbeuP@REEP
This document online with hotlinks: www.PuebloServes.org/renaissance
Will you help develop the vision of a New Pueblo? Please email: gro.sevreSolbeuP@REEP
Developed by Pueblo 2010 Commission, Education Task Force, Richard Pinneau, PhD, Chair
Reference list from Richard Pinneau to 2010 Education and Lifelong Learning Task Force
Note: This is a preliminary, ongoing investigation into the feasibility of various models that have been applied elsewhere in the U.S.
Please submit comments, suggestions, questions to one of members of 2010 Education Task Force:
Val Henderson: moc.bpise@nosredneh.lav
Richard Pinneau: gro.sevreSolbeuP@REEP
This document online with hotlinks: www.PuebloServes.org/renaissance
If you will join in developing a vision of a New Pueblo, please email: gro.sevreSolbeuP@REEP