Model School District
Methodology
The Dearborn Model School District Plan was developed by a group of more than fifty parents, teachers, students, local administrators, board of education and community members who met together on four separate days and in smaller working groups many additional times in between. The participants were aware of the currently ever-changing educational expectations imposed by government, global competition for jobs and the present funding problems in the state.
Understanding these issues, our volunteers approached the creation of a Model School District from a different perspective – we ignored them. We chose, instead, to build from scratch.
Our first step was to think about what features we believed would exist in a Model School District, its look, feel and operation. Many of these components were identified in an open and free-ranging forum. We then took the time to dream, and as we shared ideas, something changed in the room. A large room with fifty people became more intimate, more personal. People took a chance, spoke from the heart, and found that others shared their views.
On the second day of our initial meetings, a Saturday, fifty people returned. We began that day with the determination to create. The ideas of the previous day began to form into projects, programs and plans of action. We then divided into six working groups with specific subject areas to develop. Prior to the conclusion of the day, we resolved to truly believe in what we were developing. Thereafter, each working group met many times and the whole group met on two more occasions.
After the submission of all of the final reports of the working groups, a writing committee merged the six reports into an integrated final report for the Model School District.
Throughout the project, our guiding principle was to always make decisions that were in the best interests of our children. Again, in our deliberations, issues of existing rules, regulations, legislation, politics and funding were disregarded. While we appreciate that standards and assessments are necessary and that money is limited, we strongly believe that the current system inhibits rather than supports the best interests of our children.
We have purposely attempted to set forth our plan in the context of advocating the best interests of all children with respect to their individual needs and have therefore not expressly detailed programs and policies for specific groups, such as gifted and talented, special needs, ESL and so forth.
As with all collaborative efforts, legitimate differences of opinion arose. In most cases, these were resolved and a consensus was reached. An exception, however, arose within the working group for the middle schools. Some members strongly advocated for middle schools that encompassed grades 7 through 9, while others favored a configuration of grades 6 through 8. The discussions specifically revolved around the proper placement of grades 6 and 9. We attempted to address the subject in general terms in each of the elementary, middle, and high school sections of this report.
We readily acknowledge that the plan we created does not cover every aspect of the operation of a school district. It would have been virtually impossible to have recreated an entire district in the five months we worked on this project. Our intent was to emphasize that fundamental change is needed now and to give some examples of the types of projects, programs, attitudes, and strategies that will improve education.
The Dearborn Model School District Plan is our vision for education and of what we expect from public education, government, local businesses, and our community in general – in essence, what we expect of ourselves. It is a goal we must strive to realize for the benefit of our children and our common future.
RESOURCES
Creating A Culture of Learning
Dr. Artis explains that a Culture For Learning is based on several simple, yet profound ideas. A Culture For Learning provides valuable insight in to the work of the district and the work that all of us as a community must face in order to ensure a successful education for all students.
Watch the Video
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