Mr. Linzey goes to Washington

Set against the backdrop of American flag pins, dark suits and the solemn decorum of a Congressional hearing, top U.S. educational leaders recently heard the story of Clayton’s local high school’s remarkable transition.

“After years of frustration and neglect by the local school district, the teachers’ turmoil reached a boiling point,” Clayton Valley Charter High School Executive Director David Linzey testified at “Raising the Bar: The Role of Charter Schools in K-12 Education” before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce in Washington D.C. on March 12. “This lead to a vote, by the teachers, to convert the school from traditional to charter school, utilizing the state’s charter conversion law.”

Linzey, invited by Congressman George Miller (D-Martinez) was one of five educators from across the country invited to the speak about the positive impacts they have seen in charter schools.

Linzey went on to tell the story of how he was able to assemble a strong team of teachers, administrators and community members to help guide the school to change it to a culture of success in just two years.

“The difference was immediate and astonishing,” he told the panel. “Much to the amazement of the staff, parents and students, the school was transformed almost overnight with the instructional framework of ‘rigor, relevance and relationships,’ as developed by Dr. Willard Daggett. I spent nearly a week with the teachers discussing what quality instruction looks like, how application makes learning relevant and how nurturing relationships between teachers and students lays a foundation where students want to learn and perform academically. Professional development became the constant theme.”

The story of CVCHS was clearly a highlight of the hearing, as it was the first example cited by Congressman Miller as he addressed his colleagues.

“The transformation of Clayton Valley Charter High School was truly inspiring to see,” he said in his opening remarks. “It’s a testament to the role charter schools can play in the K-12 educational system. Clayton Valley Charter has been a bright light in the 11th District…and the entire community is reaping the benefits.”

Linzey said it was “an honor” to be asked to testify in front of the Congressional committee. “I greatly appreciate the warm reception I received from Congressman Miller. He was obviously so proud of the work we have done in the past two years and the remarkable results we have had to date.”

He also said that the committee was very impressed with the tremendous achievement results earned by CVCHS. “They were clearly pleased to hear from leaders who had powerful success stories that provide hope for other schools and districts, along with a roadmap for how to best educate all students and enable them to be on the road to college readiness.

“I will always remember this opportunity to share with Congress and feel such great pride in our work with teachers, parents, staff and, of course, students to make CVCHS such a great high school,” he said. “This was a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity that I will cherish.”