Who We Are

World Class Grads Maryland (WCG-MD) is an independent group of highly skilled and experienced members of the public and private sectors of our state’s economy, who came together in 2019 to support and promote educational reform. We studied the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission; evaluated the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation that was enacted in 2021; and determined to fully support the Blueprint’s plan to transform Maryland’s education systems as the most promising means to prepare all students for 21st Century careers and satisfying lives. 

More information about the Blueprint and Kirwan Commission recommendations is available here.

WCG-MD established World Class Grads-Maryland, Inc. as a non-profit organization to be a pro-active analyst and catalyst for the long-term success of the Kirwan Commission’s “call to action.” We analyze, publicize and project student, job and career data; link with others working with these and related areas; and meet with public officials to promote the successful implementation of the Blueprint and transformation of education in Maryland. More information about what we do is available here.

Purpose:

WCG-MD works to ensure that graduates of Maryland public schools successfully enter the workforce in 21st Century careers with skills to build fulfilled lives of their choice. 

Vision:

We envision that every child in Maryland receives a world class education and has a bright future. We envision that all Maryland graduates are flourishing and contributing for a lifetime in a society that supports inclusion and economic equity. 

Mission:

We strategically champion and proactively advocate for every child who enters Maryland schools to succeed in 21st Century careers and fulfilling lives. We  build long term support for implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland to advance educational practices and outcomes as envisioned in the Kirwan Commission’s Report.

Our Values: 

  • Informed advocacy: We are an independent resource. We strongly support the full implementation of the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” reform law. We advocate for the Blueprint and track progress toward reaching its goals. 

  • Based on research:   We research and promote best practices from top performing school districts across the state, country and world, while helping to inform the public debate and influence public policy. 

  • Broad public support: We partner with other like-minded advocates and county/state agencies, to build and maintain strong public support for the goals of the Blueprint law and the realization of true education reform.

About WCG-MD:

We are volunteers who care deeply about the future of Maryland. We believe that we need citizens who have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to obtain satisfying employment (jobs/careers) that enable them to lead lives that are satisfying to them and their families. We believe that the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission are the foundation for reaching these lofty goals. Therefore, we fully endorse the Blueprint for Maryland legislation. We also are committed to continued attention to detail over the next many years to be sure the Kirwan recommendations are fully implemented. We welcome others willing to support these efforts.

Officers:

President – Thornell Jones

Vice President – Richard Van Dyke 

Secretary – Heather Millar

Treasurer – Richard Van Dyke

Director – Edgar Michels

Director - Chuck Hurley

Background on the Formation of WCG-MD:

For most of the 20th century the United States was the world leader in education, and Maryland was considered to have one of the best systems. Unfortunately, in recent decades, both have fallen into mediocrity, and far behind the leading education systems in the world. Since Maryland's kids will be competing in the global workplace with students that are far better prepared, the implications are profound. 

The Maryland General Assembly therefore launched a four-year comprehensive study to address these critical issues chaired by renowned education leader, Dr. William E. Kirwan. One of their key findings is that less than a third of Maryland students are currently prepared to compete on an even footing with those of the leading systems. The result was the enactment of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, with major investments in key areas. Fully implemented, it will transform the current array of education programs designed in the 1930's into a system based on the proven results of the best performing systems in the world. This will not happen overnight. It will require at least ten years of public support and participation to ensure that the major initial investments produce the results that are essential. 

After these years of investing in  necessary reforms, Maryland will begin to see a profit. One of the successes of the full implementation of the Blueprint will include a more skilled workforce. This is attractive to employers and employees, resulting in Maryland being a highly desirable state in which to live and work. Less tax money will be needed to support basic needs for Maryland residents: another favorable result of the successful implementation of the Blueprint.