Module 1: Map

Module 1: Map

mkh29 04 Jun 2014 05:03

The problems we faced this year I believe has its roots in the tribal political arena. Salt River High School is currently a regular charter school in the state of Arizona. It is much more than that to the political leaders of the Salt River Community. It is a jewel for academics, a show of educational importance, a net for the people of the community to obtain an education. I have been told many times by people above me, not to mention the word alternative school when talking about our high school. The mention of that word sends waves through the education department that are more damaging than the waves of Katrina. So looking at the map I find an extra circle could be used to show the influence of the tribal politics between the state board of education and the school district. This would be only to show another entity that has influence of education in this particular case. In trying to maintain a high status and yet be all to the students they service, this entity is hindering the school from becoming a great place for young people to obtain a solid education.

Re: Module 1: Map

David Marks 04 Jun 2014 05:10

Mike, what do you think is the cause of this disconnect between the desires of the tribal leaders and the reality that you are facing as a member of the staff within the school itself?

Re: Module 1: Map

mkh29 04 Jun 2014 19:34

The state requirements to maintain regular charter status and the tribes desire to be a catch all for the students in their community are the main points of disconnect. We had to increase our performance on the state grading system, yet the tribe did not want to address the issues of students that did not want to play school. We had students that either came to school and did nothing or had compiled up to half a semester of absences before the semester ended. Not to mention the violations of school policy, fighting and/or possession and sale of narcotics and prescription drugs that went un punished.
The tribe does have an alternative school, but the requirements to enroll their make it impossible to address the needs of some of our younger students. We suggested that if they wanted our school to maintain its status with the state, they needed an alternative placement for these students. There is a core group of students that did well and understood the importance of education. Not to mention the ones that are doing well in the Mesa and Scottsdale districts. the current interim principal has even created a chart of the students that have had behavior and/or other issues. It is a small number of students, but in a 7-12 grade population of less than 250, that small number of students can create a large stir.