INKSTER PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM
A MODEL OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Part 1 of a 2 Part series

By Imani Brown, Contributing Writer

Inkster Public Schools is raising the bar in public education. Superintendent Thomas G. Maridada, II an educator and administrator for over twenty years who previously worked in corporate America at IBM, is using a business model to revamp the Inkster Public School System.

His idea of modifying the Six-Sigma business model used by Toyota and other major corporations to raise the bar in urban education, is grabbing the attention of school and business leaders everywhere. In this model, performance is continually assessed and accountability is paramount to ensure that every student succeeds. If anyone doubts his plan, the results speak for themselves. For the first time in almost twenty years, in the last two years, every K-8 class in the district made AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) according to the benchmarks set in President Bush"s No Child Left Behind manifesto.

The district has asked every student to take The Inkster Challenge - maintain A 3.0 GPA, be accepted into one of their"Quest for Excellence Academies" and receive the new Inkster Promise...a free college education! The district"s innovative partnership with Wayne County Community College District allows students to complete a two year Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree by the time they finish their high school diploma, tuition free! They are the only Public School in the State of Michigan offering this opportunity at no charge to their students.

The school district is committed to providing their students with a 'world class educational experience" that will enable them to compete globally. In addition to English, students in the district"s Gifted and Talented program are required to learn three languages fluently, choosing from Mandarin Chinese, Arabic and Spanish.

Inkster Public Schools has established numerous cutting edge private/business partnerships. New to the district this year, is collaboration with the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. This partnership provides students the opportunity to take flight lessons, preparing them for careers in aviation engineering, also tuition free! The Mosaic Youth Theatre, an internationally renowned arts organization, offers classes, in residence, in the district. The Detroit Chamber Winds provides master classes for students and world acclaimed musician James Tatum, will be mentoring students this year as well.

Developing extraordinary private/public partnerships with corporate America is a key ingredient in Superintendent Maridada"s vision. Already this year, students enrolled in their various Academies have experienced unprecedented learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Students from the Allied Health Academy were offered the opportunity to shadow surgeons at Meharry Medical School in Tennessee. Students from the Performing Arts Academy flew to New York to experience the joy of seeing the Broadway play,"The Color Purple" with Fantasia of American Idol fame The also had the opportunity to do a summer stock internship with the cast of the show.

With the support of Siemens Technology Corporation, Inc., students from the International & Entrepreneurship Academy embarked on a trip to the New York Stock Exchange. In addition to this unprecedented learning experience, students were taught business principles from Fortune 500 executives and how to write a successful business plan. Students are being taught financial literacy and have access to a student investment club in which they will be taught how to buy and sell stocks for long-term investing. The district is now preparing to take students on the Black Parisian experience to London, England and Paris, France this spring.

This is a district that just several years ago, was almost prompted to close its doors due to low enrollment and lackluster academic achievement! Ninety percent of Inkster Public School"s Board has received certification through the Michigan Association of School Boards, they together with dedicated teachers, staff and parents work closely with the Superintendent to create a culture of excellence. They are proud of their 100% graduation rate. Some of the many colleges and universities that have attracted their students are: Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Dartmouth, West Point, MeHarry Medical School, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Morehouse and Spelman. The results have been proof positive. These are just a few of the unique and innovative educational opportunities that have been accomplished in Superintendent Maridada"s second year on the job.

Maridada is passionate about providing students with 'world class" educational opportunities while preparing them to not only compete but to excel in a global society. Conversing with Superintendent Maridada is always intellectually stimulating. He vigorously challenges educators to commit to a paradigm shift,"Too often in the urban Diasporas, we glorify the problem without identifying solutions. We must stop saying that we will just do the"best that we can do". Instead we must actually create a performance culture, like they do in the corporate world, where results, expertise and outcomes matter. No more passing the buck, excellence is our only option if students are going to compete globally."

His resolute commitment, tenacity, vision and leadership have not only rejuvenated the Inkster Public School system but garnered recognition from his peers as well. The Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) has awarded Superintendent Thomas G. Meridada, II with the distinct and prestigious 'Superintendent of the Year' award for 2008!

Visit www.InksterSchools.org for more info