LANSING – As the Kalamazoo Promise continues to prove successful, House Democrats today called on Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop to pass the Michigan Promise Zone Act, which will ensure access to higher education for thousands of students throughout the state who want to go to college.
"Every student in Michigan – regardless of their financial status – deserves access to a world-class education so they can compete for good-paying jobs," said State Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac/Auburn Hills), Chair of the House Education Committee. "Unfortunately, paying for higher education can be a struggle for many of our working families. By passing this plan, we made a promise to our students that they will have the opportunity to succeed in the 21st century economy. It's time for the Senate to do the same."
Modeled after the privately funded Kalamazoo Promise, which guarantees graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools free college tuition at any university or community college in Michigan, the Michigan Promise Zone Act would authorize the creation of promise zones in areas that have a high rate of poverty and unemployment. During the first two years of the program, the promise zones would be required to raise funds through private donations.
Michigan Promise Zones could be created in qualifying cities, townships, counties, local school districts or intermediate school districts. Participating communities would need to show a significant local financial commitment to become Promise Zones, and students would have to live within a designated Promise Zone to take advantage of this initiative. The House passed the plan in December.
According to the Upjohn Institute, there were 745 students using the Kalamazoo Promise to attend Michigan colleges and universities as of January 20081. The Kalamazoo Promise has spent about $3.2 million since it was first made available to the graduating class of 2006.
"Education is the driving force behind improving our economy," said State Representative Mary Valentine (D-Norton Shores), Vice Chair of the House Education Committee. "Businesses want to locate where there are large pools of highly-trained, highly-educated workers, and of course, families want to locate to where their children are guaranteed free college tuition. The Promise has made Kalamazoo a better place to live, work and raise a family. By passing our plan, the Senate can do the same for Michigan as a whole."
1 College or University Attendance for Promise Users, http://www.upjohninst.org/promise/cuselect.pdf