About Us

World Class Grads-MD, Inc.  (WCGMD)

World Class Grads-MD, Inc. is a volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2019 as an Education Advocacy Think Tank. We are an independent group of highly skilled and experienced members of the public and private sectors of our state’s economy who support a systemic solution to transform education in Maryland. Our extensive study and deliberations guided us to support the full and equitable implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future as the very best opportunity to prepare ALL students for 21st Century careers and fulfilling lives. 

We come together with others to exchange ideas and foster collaboration to shift the public narrative and promote educational reform. We studied the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission embedded in the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation that was enacted in 2021. We work to monitor how specific policies and practices are implemented under the Blueprint. We study how related societal structures impact the Blueprint to inform and help to build the capacity of policy actors, practitioners, partners, and families.

WCGMD is pro-active. After deep analysis we act as a catalyst for the long-term success of the Kirwan Commission’s “call to action.” We review and analyze data, link with others working with these and related areas and we meet with public officials to promote the successful implementation of the Blueprint and transformation of education in Maryland.

Vision: Every child in Maryland has a bright future.

Mission: We strategically champion and proactively advocate for every child who enters Maryland public schools to succeed in 21st Century careers and fulfilling lives.

Values: 

  • Inclusion and Economic Equity: We envision that ALL Maryland graduates are flourishing and contributing for a lifetime in a society that supports inclusion and economic equity.

  • Informed Advocacy: We are an independent resource. We strongly support the full implementation of the “Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.” 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 inspire 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 full implementation of the Blueprint law and the realization of true education reform.

Our volunteers care deeply about the vitality of our children’s future. We need citizens who have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to obtain gainful employment (jobs/careers) and 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’s future and are committed to detailed oversight to ensure the Kirwan recommendations are fully implemented. We welcome others to join us in this work.

Officers:

President – Thornell Jones

Vice President – Richard Van Dyke 

Secretary – Heather Millar

Treasurer – Richard Van Dyke

Director - Chuck Hurley, on leave

Committee Leads:

Early Childhood, 0 to 5 years - Carlesa Finney

School Culture & Community Support – Karen Murphy Keddell

Workforce Development - Richard Van Dyke

Advocacy - Cheryl McLeod, Chuck Hurley

Our Work

WCGMD utilizes a systems approach to help all parts of the educational enterprise understand how they impact the Blueprint’s stated goal to have all students college and career ready by the end of high school. Ongoing studies of many aspects of the Blueprint are necessary to ensure the program is on track. We have determined in our years of research and analysis to focus our work on developing strategies from pre-birth to employment to meet this goal.

Understanding the policies and issues related to the Blueprint enables us to address problems and to inform our collaborative efforts with like-minded individuals and groups, the general public, legislators and implementors. Clink on these links to connect with our collaborators. Strong Schools Maryland, Blueprint Coalition, Maryland Alliance for Racial Equity in Education, Maryland Family Network, Maryland State Department of Education, Accountability and Implementation Board

Information and Presentations

Widespread knowledge about the Blueprint’s direction, needs, and actions to improve results, are important for all to know. WCGMD provides information to those who have an interest in and/or are implementing the Blueprint. Our purpose is to ensure that correct and accurate knowledge is available so all to enable citizens and organizations to play a positive role in improving education in Maryland, enabling the state to compete on the world stage.

On our website and periodically through webinars and in-person presentations, WCGMD informs the public of areas we all need to be concerned about and areas that have had remarkable success that we all should celebrate.