The purpose of this study was to use an appreciative inquiry (AI) theoretical research perspective and change methodology to transform the working relationships and cultural expectations of members through the discovery of their positive core leading to an optimistic and confidence - based future for an urban drug court. This study describes how participants through their participation in the first two stages of an AI 4 - D cycle (Discovery and Dream) transformed their working relationships and organizational culture. Participants included an urban drug court magistrate, manager, and purposively selected staff [15 participants]. The urban drug court is designed as a last chance opportunity for substance abusers. As a result of participation in the appreciative inquiry process, participants (a) discovered a resiliency and willingness to overcome challenges, (b) reaffirmed a sense of purpose in their work and (c), discovered a positive core of successful experience. Our study demonstrates the creative possibilities when applying AI to groups mired in deficit thinking. In doing so, we advanced the research in AI, positive organizational psychology, and learned optimism.
This article explores the impact of standardization policies of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001 on the American Indian/Alaska Native community and the ability of educational policy to promote sovereignty, liberty and equity within indigenous communities. Examining current research and data generated from the National Indian Education Study (NIES) of 2009, we argue that the English-only assessments of NCLB devalue indigenous social and cultural capital through the salient measure of language revitalization efforts. Consequently, by virtue of a narrowing effect on the curriculum, school-community relations are strained by standards-based reforms, as representative of current educational policy. We examine educational policy within a historical interpretation of Federal Indian policies in its capacity to promote language revitalization and student achievement. Federal Indian policies have both hurt and helped Indian education exist as a vehicle towardsmaintaining sovereignty, liberty, and equity. The concept of social capital is explored further as a recommendation to strengthen school-community relations. Ultimately, educational policy that unites the concepts of sovereignty, liberty, and equity is integral toward revitalizing indigenous language without sacrificing a focus of raising student achievement; thus, emblematic of responsive Indian educational policy.
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