LANSING – As the Kalamazoo Promise continues to prove successful, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today called on Senate Majority Leader Michael 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.
"No student should ever have to forgo higher education because they can't afford it," Dean said. "To build a strong workforce that will roll out the welcome mat for new investment, new businesses and new jobs, we must open the doors of opportunity. The House has shown its commitment to increasing access to higher education, and 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 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 2008[1]. The Kalamazoo Promise has spent about $3.2 million since it was first made available to the graduating class of 2006.
"We must give all our citizens the education and training they will need to compete in today's economy," Dean said. "An educated workforce is a magnet for high-tech, good-paying jobs. This plan will open the doors of higher education and high-skilled training to the residents of Grand Rapids and all of Michigan."