The turnaround models proposed by the federal government have caused disruption and harm to our Navajo Nation public schools. I have worked very hard to improve Canyon De Chelly Elementary School in Chinle Unified School District, Chinle, Arizona (located near the very beautiful Canyon De Chelly National Monument). We have high and positive expectations for all students. We have seen state test scores in reading, mathematics, and writing increase. The school's label has gone from "underperforming" to "performing". We are focused on raising student achievement, but we haven't reached the rising AMOs to make AYP. One principal lost his position and three of us (myself included) have been told we are transferring to new schools as of 7/1/10. Three years of hard work and dedication seems to have been thrown out in favor of a model that is largely unproven. We are told that we must do it so we can apply for a school improvement grant and Race To The Top funding. Now, I will need to establish new, strong, positive relationships with staff, students, parents, and community members. I will need to understand the programs and culture of the new school. I will need to start over. Rome wasn't built in a day, and great schools with outstanding student achievement aren't created in a day. It takes very deliberate and thoughtful action over several years. When we are babies we start by crawling, then walking, and finally running. I am up and running with Canyon De Chelly Elementary School, but I will need to crawl again when I start over with a new school.
