One of Michigan’s Largest School Districts Delivers on the Promise of Individualized Education for Every Student

In the city synonymous with auto pioneer Henry Ford, the 18,000-plus students enrolled in Dearborn Public Schools are called upon daily to rise to new scholastic challenges in an effort to make it a model district within Wayne County and throughout the state of Michigan.

“It’s important that every student reaches his or her highest potential,” says Superintendent Brian Whiston. “Our district has spent a considerable amount of time, resources and effort to understand why achievement gaps exist and how we can construct individualized plans to meet the needs of each student and the student body as a whole.”

Empowerment is emphasized by the district’s administration and instructors alike. Dearborn teachers are encouraged to tailor lesson plans to captivate students’ attention, and that enthusiasm is spread from teachers to their students. Ensuring that scholastics meet and exceed state guidelines is an ongoing process and is fueled by systematic checks of teachers’lesson plans against state requirements.

All Dearborn public schools are accredited by the North Central Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, a century-old non-governmental organization that accredits more than 8,000 public and private schools, and districts, as well as the Department of Defense Dependents' Schools worldwide. And, since its enactment in 2002, every Dearborn elementary and middle school has achieved Adequate Yearly Progress as required by both the federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, and the State of Michigan.

From its first school – a one-room log cabin in the early 19th century – to 32 neighborhood elementary, middle and high schools today, Dearborn Public School District has grown to become the fifth largest district in the state with more than 2,000 teachers and administrative staff.  It is indeed a credit to their extraordinary staff that, as one of the largest districts in the state, it has managed to achieve its goal of individual attention to each student, supporting their quest to reach their fullest potential.

Empowerment From The Start

Traditionally, students begin their academic careers in Kindergarten for a half-day of instruction. The traditional approach was that children needed to be gently eased into school. However, it has been conclusively shown that students who begin receiving a full-day’s worth of instruction beginning in Kindergarten have a ‘jumpstart’ on math, science and reading comprehension.

In light of this, Dearborn Public Schools will begin offering full-day Kindergarten starting this fall.

“We heard loud and clear the calls from parents who were demanding all day Kindergarten,” Superintendent Whiston said. “So we responded appropriately. We are always looking at the needs of our students and making changes to our curriculum that can capture enthusiasm and enhance the learning experience.”

In addition to more class time, even the youngest Dearborn students are introduced to technology, including computers and other electronic learning tools, to make kids comfortable with the equipment at an early age in so to gain proficiency sooner. Every Kindergartener graduates into first grade knowing how to use a computer.

Harnessing The Power of Technology

With an emphasis on cutting-edge technology to enhance the learning experience, Dearborn has moved to integrate the internet into daily lesson plans, allowing students to take courses online, submit homework over a secure network and use interactive blogging to relay information back to their teachers. The Dearborn website has become an extension of the classroom for students, their parents and the greater Dearborn community. Adult education is one of the website’s many offerings. Other features include a portal called D-Tube, which gives students yet another creative outlet to complete their assignments and view video clips that supplement daily lessons.

“We’ve really moved our focus for Web communications into the area of online learning,” Superintendent Whiston said. “Students today have the advantage of a digital reality to supplement traditional learning, and to create all types of electronic presentations to express their creativity.”

Advanced technology is not only a tool to be used, but also to be taught. Classes including computer programming, design, architecture and drafting, and engineering are offered to high school students.

Attitude Helps Aptitude

The Dearborn Public Schools’ vision statement clearly outlines the district’s focus: “We see a school community that supports and builds on the strengths of each student, uses innovative instructional practices, and inspires students to think critically and creatively and practice collaborative behaviors in school and community.

“We see an educational partnership in which the school staff, families, and members of the community share the responsibility of educating each student in an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect.

“We see a continually changing teaching and learning environment that uses technology and research based best practices as a basis for developing and implementing sound educational programs and instructional practices.

“We see a school community that honors government mandates and insists its students achieve beyond those mandated expectations.

“We see a school community that respects, appreciates, and celebrates our diversity and similarities.

“We see a school community that integrates the Core Values, including Honesty, Responsibility, Respect for Self and Others, Integrity, Courtesy, and Citizenship into daily life.

In articulating the district’s mission to educate, Superintendent Whiston said Dearborn Public Schools, in partnership with its students, their parents and the greater community, is to focus individualized attention on every student, emboldening them to achieve the highest academic standards, all the while conducting lessons in a safe, stimulating environment.

“Our objectives include a commitment to every single student who walks into our classrooms that they will receive a world-class education, have a wide variety of courses from which to choose, and have the tools necessary to excel beyond the classroom and into the real world,” Superintendent Whiston explained.