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Show Wed/Thurs/Fri, September 7-9, 2005 The Park Record A-26 Navajos move to take control of classes Educators support . PHOENIX (AP) Navajo Nation leaders have taken an initial step toward taking over control of their classrooms from the state, saying they'd be better off to run schools orj their territory. ; Schools on the reservation are currently overseen by the Arizona, Utah and New Mexico Departments of Education as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Parochial schools are under the purview of the Diocese of Gallup in New Mexico. But in July, Navajo Nation legislators exercised sovereign powers to change their education code, creating an 11-member board and a superintendent of schools to be in place by 2017. "It would be a department equal to or better than the three where our children attend schools." said Leland Leonard, director of Navajo Nation's Division of Dine Education. •"The current academic approach is a borrowed concept from BIA and the state," Leonard said. 'lWe want to close the achievement gap by building our own standards." Navajo leaders say creating their own department of education and instituting their own testing and learning standards would be better suited for Navajo students. That could mean Navajo students would not need to take state-mandated tests, such as Arizona's AIMS test, to receive a high school diploma or even glance at the national standardized test. However, Navajo leaders say they're not interested in assuming financial control of the state's $140 million budget for the schools, which educates 21,000 students. State officials seem open to the concept if transferring control of schools to Native American governments but say it's a difficult prospect. The Navajo Nation has eight large public schools, many located in urban residential areas like Tbba City, Kayenta and Chinle. Tom Home, superintendent of Arizona Public Instruction, said he agreed to be "open-minded" about the Navajo Nation's plan and had met with tribal leaders in June. However, district employees, governing school board members and parents from Navajo district school arc already inquiring about how realistic the Navajo Nation plan is, Home said. Percy Deal, a member of the board of supervisors in Navajo County, is ecstatic about the tribe's philosophy to exert sovereignty. What troubles him is the elimination of Arizona standards and the high-stakes tests like AIMS and TerraNova, "That is to say, we have our own standards and we only learn about our little world and we don't want our students to compete on the national level. That is wrong." Deal said. "Our children's world, their future, is not within the Navajo Nation. It is outside the reservation. So they have to compete nationally." National test scores at reservation public schools fall below the 50th national percentile mark in language arts, math and reading. Navajo students improved on AIMS 2005, a test which was made easier to take than in previous years. "I'm still responsible for the academic performance of the schools. If they (Navajo Nation) want to take over that responsibility, they have to convince Congress to pass a law transferring that responsibility from me to them," Home told The Arizona Republic. Leonard, former chief executive officer of the Phoenix Indian Center, believes Navajo-crafted curriculum, standards and testing would benefit Navajo children. For example, he said school districts could require that the Navajo language be taught as part of the curriculum. Home said the state does not object to the teaching of Navajo language and culture with one exception - students must still become proficient at English. "Once they are proficient in English," Home said, "then teaching Navajo and culture is a positive thing." . Cyndi Thompson, a parent at Chinle Unified School District, said many parents are unaware of the tribe's plan to consolidate all schools under its own department of education. She said she's satisfied with her children's schools but admits she overhears the community repeat, "Nihina'nitin baa'diil diih," or "our oral Navajo philosophy and instruction is fading." AUGUST 27-28 S E P T E M B E R 3 - 5 •••"•?. S EPTE MBER 10-1 1 i ••VJ-.v:-.,1 PARK C I T Y AREA ; ^ ; T y r , • SHOWCASE of HOMES f p | | HOMES . - OPEN : '. y :•.&$$j£& 10 AM - 7 PM „ - • • - • ' - • ' . ' , - ' \ 4 \-rr * ' > • J U '•' '; • >J^ '<*.,•• " • ' £ £ . :,^- 2 0 0 ^ People's Choice Award Winner, Sunrise Ranch, Midway Construction W i n a Variety of Prizes While at the Showcase of Homes, turn in your vote for the People's Choice Award and enter the drawing for one of the following prizes: Daniels (2) Three-day family Su imit 1 » JJ getaways at Daniels * ° ge Summit Lodge I A home water purification/ softening system courtesy of Superior Water & Air Help the Community, too. Because we care about giving back to our community, a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties. t ? f e Habitat An outdoor fire pit courtesy of Hearth & Home Distributors & Stones •icvcu e«KT€n •III All SmithsTix locations 800.888.TIXX or www.smithstix.com A $250 gift certificate to Sticks & Stones Furniture (2) 21-speed mountain bikes and one car rack courtesy of Bountiful Bicycle Center For more information visit www.pcshowcaseofhomes.com SPONSORED BY: SOUTHWEST KSLIIBH Sticks & Stenes Newspaper Agency Corporation SALT LAKE CITY (AP) With gasoline prices inching toward $3 per gallon, Utah's largest public universities are looking for ways to cut fuel expenditures and reduce the use of faculty and staff vehicles. University of Utah officials estimate they'll spend about $600,000 on gas for 466 vehicles. In the last fiscal year budget the school spent $438,0000 on fuel. Utah State University spent $415,000 on gas. Tips for reducing idling time and air conditioning use - which increase the amount of fuel burned - have been circulating across campus, said Orfeo Kostrencich, the school's administrative manager of plant operations. And school officials are giving thought to adding hybrid cars to the fleet. Utah State, a land grant university with satellite locations around the state, already has a number of gas/electric hybrids in it's fleet of 650 vehicles. We certainly do try to getridof the older vehicles," said Darrell Hart, USU assistant vice president for facilities. The school has also replaced older campus shuttles with buses that run on compressed natural gas. The switch was designed to improve air quality, but over time may also save on fuel costs, Hart says. Utah State officials aren't ready to pass therisingfuel costs on to students. Weber State University in Ogden has increased the price of an oncampus shuttle system along with rising gas prices. Students are also now being charged $20 per year to park at the .formerly free Dee Events Center lot. University of Utah officials say rising costs may have a ripple effect though the schools self-sustaining commuter service department, which doesn't get state funds. LOGAN, Utah (AP) A new program at Utah State University lets students borrow bikes to make their way across campus. The Aggie Blue Bike program is a cooperative venture between the school and the Utah Conservation Corps. It allows students to check out free bikes for up to 30 days. "The Aggie Blue Bike Program is basically checking out a bike like checking out a book at the library," said Sean Damitz, program director for Utah Conservation Corps. Twenty bikes are available currently for rent through the program. TICKETS & MAPS AVAILABLE AT: Showcase Website www.pcshowcaseofhomes.com And be sure to stop by Home #7 for a chance to win a flat screen plasma TV! ARA HOME 5UILDERS ASSOCIATION intelligent design legislation a few months ago after hearing complaints from constituents that evolution was being taught as fact, not theory. State curriculum director Brett Moulding said his office has received no such complaints. Buttars is backed in his effort by the conservative advocacy group the Utah Eagle Forum. But scientists from Brigham Young University and the University of Utah also told the board that the theory of intelligent design is pseudoscience that has no place in science classrooms. "By definition, science does not attumpt to explain the world by invoking the supernatural," University of Utah bioengineering professor Gregory Clark told the board. "Intelligent design fails as science Ix-ciuse it does exactly that - it posits that life is too complex to have arisen from natural causes, and instead requires the intervention of an intelligent designer who is beyond natural explanation. Invoking the supernatural can explain anything, and hence explains nothing." The board's position statement, which was supported by scientists, acknowledges other "ways of knowing'1 inducing arts and faith and says those should be respected. "Teachers should encourage students to discuss any seeming conflicts with their parents or religious leaders," the statement reads. Board member Bill Colbert said he personally believes in intelligent design, but thinks it should not be taught in schools. "I believe it needs to be taught in the home and perhaps, religious institutions," Colbert said. "It's a personal issue. Even if we try to teach it in a classroom, (I don't think teachers) can do justice to various beliefs that are out there in our communities." Bikes lessen traffic TICKET PRICES $10 adults, $5 children (ages 12 and under) At the door of each Showcase entry home (during Showcase dates/times only) PRESENTED BY: SALT.LAKE CITY (AP) The State Board of Education voted unanimously Friday to continue teaching evolution theory as part of the biology curriculum in Utah's schools. In a position statement, the board said the theory of evolution is a mayor unifying scientific concept appropriate for public instruction. But Utah state Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, is countering the board's position with his "Academic Freedom Act," a document that looks like draft legislation to bring '"intelligent design" in to classrooms as well. "Intelligent design" is the belief that the complexities of life cannot be explained through the theories of evolution and natural selection. Proponents contend that a brilliant "designer" is responsible for creating the universe. Critics say the concept is a veiled reference to creationism, which has been barred from public instruction by the U.S. Supreme Court. In states around the nation, the introduction of intelligent design into schools has triggered controversy and several lawsuits. Buttars had asked the board for a two-hour session to discuss intelligent design, but the senator has been ignored. He has not yet opened a bill file in preparation for the 2006 legislative session, but thinks the idea should be taught in schools as a counterpoint to teaching students that humans have evolved from a lesser species.. 'The only recourse I've got to get my side heard is to take it to the Legislature," said Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan. On Friday he told the state board the theory of evolution "has more holes than a crocheted bathtub," adding that to bar a discussion of intelligent design is a move akin to censorship. Buttars began talking aboul Utah universities seek fuel cost cuts ill W e i n v i t e y o u to experience the finest home craftsmanship and design the Mountain West has to offer during the 2005 Park City Area Showcase of Homes. This year, we have 21 stunning mountain homes in the communities of Park City, Heber City, Midway and Oakley - truly displaying the best in the area. Come feel the clean alpine air, experience the luxury, meet the builders and get inspired! teaching of evolution 5 * ?&< The idea for the program came from a coalition of students, faculty and staff who thought the bikes might reduce parking issues and air pollution. A survey of students showed an overwhelming interest in the idea, Damitz said. Students can check out bikes for free, but most sign a rental agreement with the corps Students must agree to be the sole user of the bike, lock them up when not in use. and return the bikes in good condition. Program managers don't want thefts or damage to undermine the program. Concrete Contractors Stamping & Designing Snowme/t Systems Hydronic Snowmelt System engineered for Park City climate Automatic Sensor Natural Gas 90% Efficiency Maintenance Free Break-Out & Replacement Street Improvements Concrete Paving Driveways Patios Curb Gutters FREE Concrete Seaferi Res/dentJaf - Commericaf 801-272-3155 License #371147 Engineering • Concrete • General Construction |