Attendees: Joe Robledo (T’siya Elementary and Middle School, Principal), Anya Dozier Enos (CENAC Coordinator), Pat Sandoval (Santa Fe Indian School Planning and Evaluation Director), Robin Rodar (Santa Clara Day School Principal), Theresa Chavez (Santa Fe Indian School Mid School Coordinator), Clyde Romero (Santa Fe Indian School ITEST Project Director), Ralph Paiz (Te Su Geh Oweenge Day School Principal), Pauline Villegas (Sky City Community School Principal), Pat Kessler (Taos Day School Principal), Marian Serna (San Felipe Pueblo Elementary School Acting Principal), Dolly Naranjo-Neikrug (San Ildefonso Day School Principal), Mia Toya (Jemez Day School Acting Principal), Gil Vigil (Santa Fe Indian School Governmental/Tribal Liaison), Dr. Benjamin Atencio (NMN ELO), Felisa Gulibert (Santa Fe Indian School Director of Instruction), Kirk Minnick (Minnick and Associates President), Patricia Archuleta (Ohkay Owingeh Community School Principal), Carnell Chosa (Leadership Institute Co-Director). 

Excused: LES/LMS
Absent: IES, NMS ELO

Invocation
Meeting opened in a traditional manner at 9:20 AM

Welcome and Introductions
Group introduced themselves.

Agenda Approval
The MTO report will include an update on the CENAC Rally; add “Letter to Director” to the CENAC Business item; add Carnell Chosa to the Leadership Retreat Follow Up; add “High School Play” and “Poetry Slam” to Items from the Floor.
Ralph Paiz made a motion to approve the agenda with the changes outlined above.  Theresa Chavez seconded.  All in favor; motion passes.

Host School Showcase: Felisa Gulibert
Students taking exams, so Felisa will give an overview of showcase items.  The superintendent selection is in progress.  Highlights of the academic program include: Poetry Slam; UNM partnership to support careers in health professions; United Negro College Fund support for careers in policy, Gates an aspect of it; Senior Honors Project – year-long course for seniors; can be taken for college course credit. 
Mid School: work with Carnell (Leadership program) and student council to train students in leadership.  16 mid school students are in high school math.  Students participate in Talent Search.  Have a new Golf Club, hoping to turn it into a team in a couple of years.  Teachers do CBE units.  Goal is to make academics rigorous, interesting and fun.
High School: Team building for seniors at Mountain Center to learn to work together better.
Tribes’ Week: maintain culture while preparing for high-level academics. 
There is a chart that shows SFIS expectations at each grade level. 
April 24, 2009, from 8 – 4 is the Senior Honors Presentation – CENAC schools are invited.

Gil Vigil: Amazing what topics students come up with for the Senior Honors Project (SHP) and how they choose to research it.  Research results show the capabilities of our kids.  I encourage all of you to come for the presentations. 

Pat S: In short, we want you to send your kids to SFIS; we are doing extraordinary things.  Had brief meeting with Kevin Skenandore about his Leadership Academy initiative.  Looking at hosting about 200 kids at SFIS next year.  Acknowledge Carnell Chosa, two years ago he had first Leadership Academy (this is also how United Negro College Fund became aware of our leadership work through our partnering with Princeton), Bureau got wind of this Academy and wants to expand it.  While Mr. Skenandore was here, I asked him for continued support of CENAC, which he helped establish, in particular I asked about not scheduling Bureau meetings in conflict with CENAC meetings and to send the ELOs. 

Ralph: I’m impressed with what is going on at SFIS.  However, I feel a little disheartened in light of what is happening at my school.  Get the sense there is little articulation between feeder schools and SFIS.  Some of our kids are really advanced, but small schools can’t offer what these kids need – like Algebra at 6th grade.  There are kids ready to excel, but little we can do.  I would like to initiate conversation about these kids, and kids in need of remediation – articulation.  What are the needs of our kids coming into your school?

Pat S: We know the situation at your schools with limited resources.  There is an opportunity for a type of transition program, like concurrent enrollment elementary to middle school.  There is an opportunity for us to talk in terms of logistics – like 21st Century, ask Mr. Edmo to consider this as an initiative.  Talk also with Dr. Ben more about it.

Robin: Public Schools have a rural initiative for outreach using technology.  Invite PED to present to CENAC about how to do this.  Fairly easy if you have Internet.

Marian: Looked into AP class being offered at our school; we are interested in resources.

Robin: KNME offers courses, too; our kids could take them. 

Felisa: Public television has enrichment programs for all schools.

Theresa: Need to address remediation and identify where those weaknesses are. 

Felisa:  Spent a month looking at test scores.  43% of our 7th graders come from CENAC schools.  I can share individual school information with you privately, if interested.  We gather our information from NMSBA, our entrance exam (Star Math, AR), and teacher made tests.  Use credit recovery with Plato plus teacher made research component for juniors and seniors.

Kirk: Does the Star Math program help students’ scores?  I have been looking at CENAC scores, open-ended is where scores are low in math.  Does this approach help beyond multiple-choice questions?  Over half of the SBA is open-ended. 

Gil: I work with the 19 Pueblo governors.  It is not just about transition, but developing relationships with the feeder schools.  SFIS can learn from successful day school programs, too.  I notice you have listed most of the pueblos in the CENAC organization.  I had experience with CENAC in the early years, and data was the issue.  Where did we go from here?

Anya: Continue to look at data, SBA, help from Kirk in pulling data together so principals can use it to improve instruction.

Dr. Ben: When CENAC formed, it was principals getting together: “What do we need to do to improve instruction to improve students’ education?” – always about you, the principals, doing what it takes to make it about the kids.  At the beginning, it was just small groups of principals.  Not about Line Offices, BIE, State.  What makes you strong is you.  You have made impacts on Indian Education and you should be proud of that. 

Theresa: We should go back to the spot where we share about curriculum. 

Felisa: Agenda changed in past years due to BIA expectations, so many deliverables are chipping away at the principal’s role.  So many reports and external demands take away from role of principal.  Help principals by eliminating some of the paperwork and get back to purpose of kids’ education. 

Anya: Later in the agenda is the draft letter to the Director, which addresses this issue.

Robin: This group has had an impact.  Look at the Master Teacher Organization (MTO) and what they, the teachers, have done.  Look at what they have decided to do at the Rally – it is a big message to us: health of our teachers.  Principals can’t do it on their own.  ELOs help us improve instruction.  Teachers need support to have the energy/health they need to teach.

ELO Reports: Dr. Ben
Conference call tomorrow (the director is reinitiating conference calls): 10 – 12 with BIE schools and 2 – 4 with grant schools.
 NMN School Board training at San I from 9 – 12 Saturday October 4 – NMS welcome to attend, too.  I will do the training to focus on School Board Roles and Responsibilities, including ISEP rules to be aware of, Special Ed, Transportation.  I’ll give out copies.
Congress passed the continuing resolution for funding Oct 1 – March 6.  Operations and maintenance based on last year.  Programs: contract programs will continue.  Bad things: any increases or new proposals wait to March 6, though may have continuing again through fiscal year. 
NMN principals will meet immediately after the CENAC meeting in this room.  Questions?

Ralph: Credit card transitioning?

Dr. Ben: Doesn’t affect grant schools, just BIE.  Every few years, have new contract for credit cards, convenience checks, purchasing.  Current cards not good after Nov. 30; issued new checks, credit cards.  If you haven’t completed budget BEMs, they are overdue.  Come and work at Line Office if your system isn’t working right or you have questions.  Staff at agency can help.  If you don’t have an approved budget, you are spending illegally.  I am talking about July 1 monies only. 
Binders for School Boards. 

ITEST Report: Clyde Romero
Pueblo ITEST program, NSF funding ending in Dec.  Fall class next week; Symposium/ Showcase first week in December (students, teachers).  We’ve been a successful program and we want to share, we’ve been successful at getting students interested in science fields.  The Symposium should be Dec 4 or 5.  We are working closely with MTO on Rally and Science Fairs. 

MTO Report: Mia Toya
Rally update.  Things are on track.

Robin: MTs working hard; suggest comp time.

Clyde: All are working hard; please acknowledge.  For Rally, still need presenters for Brain-Based/ Multiple Intelligences. 

Anya: CENAC teachers are a good resource as many were trained in Brain Compatible learning through NMTC and many use it in their classes.  Check with Randy Thorn and Maxine Toya for pool of teachers.  [CENAC Calendar was handed out.]

Pat S: The agency can host a CENAC meeting; Kevin would support it.  We could do it in January or in March.  Pat S will make the arrangements with agency, she’ll email Anya, and Anya will email the group.    

Approaches to Making AYP: Kirk Minnick 
I have gone to T’syia and Sky City to share individual student reports from SBA on math, sci, reading – percentage of points each student received on each standard and benchmark – multiple choice and open-ended – all summarized on one page.  Looked at each student’s results and identified inconsistencies.  This process seems to work at grade level, school level, but haven’t figured out yet how to do at a school level to identify what are the most troublesome by standard so you can zero in on issues for your school at a particular grade-level, for example.  Focus areas per grade level.  Assessment is testing grade level, plus retention of previous grades’ standards.  Make sure kids remember prior grade-level learning.  AYP reports produced by state, not official for BIE schools. 

Dr. Ben: Who received letters for AYP?

Taos (copy, not official yet), San I (just received official a day or two ago), SFIS. 

Kirk: There are students who do well with multiple-choice, but not with same concept on open-ended.  Either they have trouble verbalizing or are not able to verbalize their understanding in a way that is understood by the test scorer.

Pat S:  Multiple-choice, correct answers are worth 1 point; open-ended 3 points.  If questions in succession in a paragraph, tendency is to answer only the first question; but, if questions separated by Question 1; Question 2, or in bullets, students answer all.  Instructors need to know this.

Pat A: A lot don’t understand the vocabulary. 

Kirk: Reading did much better in open-ended, so it’s the math vocabulary that is more of a struggle. 

Robin: Went to Math NOW training.  Gave us federal report from National Math Advisory Council on math and what they felt we need to focus on.  One was that all of our math should be guided toward the learning of algebra; it is highest percentage of items being tested on NMSBA in 8th grade.  Need to have kids understand algebra to understand math – it is the base.

Kirk:  Looked at NM website for items released.  Not many. 

Ralph: Tests used to test ability to read, now added ability to write.

Felisa: I agree language of math is quite different.  Our textbooks are good, but our kids do not understand the vocabulary and language of mathematics.  Our teachers explain and then the kids get it, but when it is presented as it is in the text, they don’t understand.  Now I am encouraging teachers to stay with the language of mathematics. 

Kirk: Worry multiple-choice could be culturally biased.

Pat S: If this is a question that is too hard for our Native American kids, we have to take one step back.  PED asks you to participate during the summer.  We need to participate in this.  PED looks at Bloom’s Taxonomy to create questions.  Analyze: complicated or complex?  Just busywork?  Good questions and process to go through with our staff.  As CENAC, PED can partner with you to work with BIE teachers to engage teachers in the questions done outside. 

Robin: I tried to send teachers to that.  It didn’t work because I was too late to get a contract the teachers needed by the BIE in order for me to send them.  Need to have a budget to send teachers. 

Pat S: Ask PED to work with us to set up a time, place, support so CENAC teachers can participate.

Anya: Support Pat S’s point; for years CENAC has wanted to participate, but the timing is always bad.

Pat Sandoval makes a motion for CENAC to give her authority contact the state PED to come to meet with CENAC about the SBA development and scoring.  Theresa Chavez seconds.  All approve; motion passes. 

Nov 5 is a go for Pivot Table Training at Santa Fe Community College.    

CENAC Business
CENAC Dues
Anya handed out invoices/ receipts for CENAC Dues.  For those schools receiving invoices, please pay as soon as possible; thank you to Santa Clara and Jemez for prompt payment!

CENAC Letter to BIE Director
Group made changes to the letter draft: added examples of duplications in reporting data; clarified request for funding from BIE; request two contractors under CAU.  All ten schools represented signed the letter.  Dr. Ben also signed, will take to NMS Acting ELO to sign, and then will hand-deliver to Mr. Skenandore. 

Leadership Retreat Follow Up: Carnell Chosa
Leadership does Community Institutes that focus on addressing big issues related to policy.  Could design one for CENAC, a Principal Community Institute.  In exchange, I would add you to my resource pool and may tap you for faculty in the future.

Pat Sandoval makes a motion to do the Principals Institute as designed by Leadership Institute for 1.5 days, preferably November 6 (evening) and 7 (all day); Pat Sandoval will take the lead in organizing it.  Dolly Naranjo-Neikrug seconds.  All approve; motion passes. 

School Board Roles, Responsibilities, Training: Dr. Ben Atencio
Dr. Ben does school board training all over the country.  For grant schools’ boards, he covers conditions of grant and background checks.  For BIE schools, he is doing the training at San I from 9 – 12 this Saturday.  There is a notebook for each school board member.  Has a PowerPoint to go over the rules, personnel, ISEP, board roles and limited responsibilities; also sends out a memorandum to school boards within his agency.  He will do another training later on.  This one is geared to new School Board members; all need 40 hours of training.  There is an excellent effective school board training done by Carmen Taylor and Lynn from NISBA.  Expensive.  Training in December in Alb, $400-500 per person.  Send a member and have them train others.  Leadership, how to run meetings are covered. 

Pat K: More cost effective to get one person to do the training for $2000 than to send individuals to Albuquerque for the fee, transportation, plus meals/ lodging.

Dr. Ben: If we do that, we need good attendance.  Remember, 1.2% of ISEP is for school board training.

Heads Up for Reports
PIAP past due.

Items from the Floor
SFIS Drama Club 
This is a new club.  Want kids to do a play in early April for 1st graders / early elementary, here at SFIS.  Will get back to CENAC with the exact date.
 
Robin: It would help if it is in the afternoon.

MTO Recognition by Principals: Robin Rodar
The MTO is doing a great job and the principals would like to recognize the Master Teachers at the Rally.  Joe will present a gift/thank you to them (5 minutes).  Mia will get it on the agenda.  It should be a certificate for dinner for the group.  Clyde and Eva will work on it. 

Items for December Agenda
Rural initiatives for enrichment for CENAC students through PED; PED response to CENAC request for input on SBA; Email Anya if you have other additions.

Adjournment
Dolly Naranjo-Neikrug made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 PM.  Pat Kessler seconded the motion.  All approved, motion passes.