Dull Knife-Northern Cheyenne Rural Systemic Initative

Chief Dull Knife Memorial College, Lame Deer MT

Investigators

Abstract

The Dull Knife Memorial College (DKMC) Rural Systemic Initiative will be a five year effort that will sustain and amplify the transformations already begun in the educational experiences of the K-14 students on and the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The quality and quantity of the learning experiences in science, mathematics and technology within and beyond the school walls will be enhanced by professional development for teachers, adoption of effective strategies, and promotion of parental and community involvement in the educational process. An advisory committe to the principal will provide input on program direction, objectives and activities, policy decisions and special requests by program participants. The creation of fonnal "personal professional growth" plans for each individual teacher will be initiated with plans that are reviewed and updated annually but extended forward for a five-year period. Professional development activities will be structured around cohorts teachers based on closely related job and interest factors that the teachers identify and a regional professional development committee will be formed to make training programs self-determined by the area teachers. Emphasis will be placed on making the school site a place to learn for teachers and parents as well as students. Alternative assessment methods and implementation will be included as a component of the professional development for school administrators and teachers. Staff will include a local community member who will be employed to actively seek public and political support for educational priorities within the reservation community, one educational professional in mathematics/physical sciences and one in biological sciences who will work with area K-14 teachers.