Navajo education in and out of the classroom: A photographic case study of Rough Rock Community School

This study explored what Navajo education looks like at Rough Rock Community School today and if this visualization aligned with the mission of the school. Images both newly created and archival were gathered to define "the look" of Navajo education, and through photo-elicitation the meanings of these images were explored. In addition, the research examined whether the original mission of Rough Rock Community School was still aligned with practice.;Ten students were given cameras to photograph the answer to the question, "What does education look like at Rough Rock." Through the process of visual ethnography of student generated photographs a picture of the dynamics facing today's students were juxtaposed with archival photographs from the school's 40 year history. In addition to the 10 students, five educators with previous work history of Rough Rock were interviewed as to the meanings they derived from the student generated photographs and the archival photographs.;Through the process of photo elicitation, students and educators were able to use the photographs and prompts to memory and also events to comment on. From the photo-elicitation interview data themes were developed that showed a school rich in its history.;The research concludes that there is knowledge by students of the original mission and its faithfulness to it today. Many of the students interviewed were adamant about their strong beliefs of Navajo history, language and culture. The researcher argues that one of the reasons why Rough Rock Community School is still true to its mission is that there is a visual acuity associated with the mission of teaching Navajo history, language and culture, and that symbolism has allowed it to remain today as it was started 40 years ago.;Founded in 1966, Rough Rock Demonstration School, (Now Rough Rock Community School) was the first Indian community controlled school which combined the philosophies of bilingual and bicultural education. With its long history the school has a unique opportunity to provide insight into issues of identity, pride and Navajo history, language and culture.