Leaders Converge at USC Upstate to Talk about Getting More Kids Through College

From Spartanburg Herald Journal: More than 80 members of the public and business sectors, as well as nonprofit organizations, gathered Tuesday at the University of South Carolina Upstate to begin a two-day conference addressing a mission Spartanburg County leaders think is critical to the future of the area and its residents. The 40/30 Challenge, which aspires to have 40 percent of the county's population 25 and older holding baccalaureate degrees by the year 2030, was one of 10 recommendations proposed last fall by the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce's Task Force on College Degree Attainment... Currently, just 19 percent of those 25 and older living in Spartanburg County have earned a college degree - well below the national average of 27 percent, the state average of 23 percent and Greenville County's average of 29 percent. ##

On Wednesday, I sat in on a portion of the brainstorming session as they broke into groups to toss out ideas which they would later present to everyone attending the two-day conference.

It's based on THE KALAMAZOO PROMISE...

PROGRAM TITLE
The Kalamazoo Promise … kept exclusively at the Kalamazoo Public Schools

INTENT
To provide each Kalamazoo Public School graduate with the opportunity to attend post –secondary education with up to a 100% tuition scholarship.

ELIGIBILITY
All students who graduate from KPS, are residing in the district, and have been KPS students four years or more. (Enrollment and residency must be continuous.)

QUALIFICATIONS
1. A graduate of a Kalamazoo Public Schools’ high school.( Kalamazoo Central High School , Loy Norrix High School or Phoenix High School )

2. Admitted to and enrolled at any public State of Michigan University or Community College.

a. Making regular progress toward a degree or certification.

b. Must maintain a 2.0 grade point average at the post-secondary institution. If the GPA drops below 2.0 a student may be reinstated if he/she is able to bring their GPA back to at least a 2.0

c. Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours.

TERMS OF SCHOLARSHIP
Four years successfully completing at least 12 hours each semester. This scholarship program provides up to four (4) years of tuition and mandatory fees for post-secondary education. (per the scale below)

ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS
Any public State of Michigan University or Community College. (see list on this web site)

EXTENT OF BENEFITS
The tuition benefit will be graduated on the basis of length of attendance in the Kalamazoo Public School system.

Length of Attendance Benefit

K-12 .......................100%
1-12 ........................95%
2-12 ........................95%
3-12 ........................95%
4-12 ........................90%
5-12 ........................85%
6-12 ........................80%
7-12 ........................75%
8-12 ........................70%
9-12 ........................65%
10-12 .....................None
11-12 .....................None
12-12 .....................None

What do you think could be done in Spartanburg County to make it happen?

Would love your input!

Thanks

Connie