Promises, promises
| By Rodd - Jan 28, 2009 6:12:44 PM ET |
It's got to be Derek Jeter, is what I thought when I heard a few years ago that a philanthropist who wanted to remain anonymous was donating millions of dollars to support the Kalamazoo Promise.
The Promise provides college tuition for residents of that west Michigan city who graduate from high school and head off to a college. An incredibly generous donor, supported by some other people with substantial cash to spare, anted up enough money to cover the cost of tuition at any Michigan community college or university for Kalamazoo high school graduates -- in perpetuity, according to administrators.
Jeter was once a high school baseball star in Kalamazoo before the New York Yankees made him a multimillionaire. More importantly, it's been years now and no one (Jeter included) has leaked a credible word about the donors, but students have gone to college and the community has benefited in the process.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed bills last week that could effectively give many other cities across Michigan a chance to "promise" a shot at college to their youths. This is important, because it could potentially make higher education a reality for low-income students with no access.
Residually, the program has also lured more students back to the Kalamazoo school district and is making the community more attractive as a place for families (which equals tax dollars for schools) as a result of the opportunity.
"At the heart of our plan to grow our economy and create jobs is a commitment to ensure that every Michigan citizen has access to affordable, first-class educational opportunities beyond high school," Granholm said, in a release. "Whether the 21st century jobs are in alternative energy, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing, we know they are going to demand high levels of education and training. That is why we must make certain that all our students get an education that prepares them for success in the workplace."
The bills Granholm approved would authorize the formation of up to 10 promise zone authorities with the ability to capture 50 percent of the growth in the state education tax to support city efforts to promise a college education to K-12 students living in the zone. Before the tax maneuver is approved, each city's zone will have to demonstrate that it can fund the first two years of the promise.
The city of Pontiac, which is wrestling with a massive school closure plan, reportedly wants to be first in line. Given the city's struggles and sizable low-income population, it's a ripe candidate for the effort.
Although the plan registered mildly with the few people - folks whose children would benefit - I talked to about it, I am hopeful it will create traction at some point. It's hard to see or think big picture when the daily headlines are job loss, schools closing, or pick your random act of violence. We all need a better promise in this down economy, and could use a bit of help looking toward a brighter day.
If we can get more children into a position to graduate, we could start a promise movement that would benefit communities across the state. I'm not suggesting the former is easy lifting. In fact, I'm mentioning it as a reminder that parents need to start building on the promise from day one. In addition to the promise, we need more emphasis and investment in early childhood development so that by the time their children reach school they are on the path to college, to promises fulfilled.
The Promise provides college tuition for residents of that west Michigan city who graduate from high school and head off to a college. An incredibly generous donor, supported by some other people with substantial cash to spare, anted up enough money to cover the cost of tuition at any Michigan community college or university for Kalamazoo high school graduates -- in perpetuity, according to administrators.
Jeter was once a high school baseball star in Kalamazoo before the New York Yankees made him a multimillionaire. More importantly, it's been years now and no one (Jeter included) has leaked a credible word about the donors, but students have gone to college and the community has benefited in the process.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed bills last week that could effectively give many other cities across Michigan a chance to "promise" a shot at college to their youths. This is important, because it could potentially make higher education a reality for low-income students with no access.
Residually, the program has also lured more students back to the Kalamazoo school district and is making the community more attractive as a place for families (which equals tax dollars for schools) as a result of the opportunity.
"At the heart of our plan to grow our economy and create jobs is a commitment to ensure that every Michigan citizen has access to affordable, first-class educational opportunities beyond high school," Granholm said, in a release. "Whether the 21st century jobs are in alternative energy, life sciences, or advanced manufacturing, we know they are going to demand high levels of education and training. That is why we must make certain that all our students get an education that prepares them for success in the workplace."
The bills Granholm approved would authorize the formation of up to 10 promise zone authorities with the ability to capture 50 percent of the growth in the state education tax to support city efforts to promise a college education to K-12 students living in the zone. Before the tax maneuver is approved, each city's zone will have to demonstrate that it can fund the first two years of the promise.
The city of Pontiac, which is wrestling with a massive school closure plan, reportedly wants to be first in line. Given the city's struggles and sizable low-income population, it's a ripe candidate for the effort.
Although the plan registered mildly with the few people - folks whose children would benefit - I talked to about it, I am hopeful it will create traction at some point. It's hard to see or think big picture when the daily headlines are job loss, schools closing, or pick your random act of violence. We all need a better promise in this down economy, and could use a bit of help looking toward a brighter day.
If we can get more children into a position to graduate, we could start a promise movement that would benefit communities across the state. I'm not suggesting the former is easy lifting. In fact, I'm mentioning it as a reminder that parents need to start building on the promise from day one. In addition to the promise, we need more emphasis and investment in early childhood development so that by the time their children reach school they are on the path to college, to promises fulfilled.
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