SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN NATIVE AMERICAN EDUCATION IN THE REAUTHORIZATION OF NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1969 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians, and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents, and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non—-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law is currently being reviewed by the United States Congress in anticipation of this key comprehensive legislation that affects all K—-12 education, including Indian Education and related programs; and

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) and membership is actively reviewing the NCLB and is making specific recommendations to strengthen the legislation to ensure Native students, staff, parents, communities and tribes receive equitable and equal consideration throughout the legislation; and

WHEREAS, specific provisions being addressed by the NIEA includes, but is not limited to thefollowing:

  1. Improving and expanding Title VII – Indian Education, to address the unique cultural and educational needs of Indian students;

  2. Improving cooperation among Tribes, States and the Federal Government;

  3. Strengthen NCLB to provide support for instruction in Native American Languages;

  4. Improving support for teachers of Native students in Title II and Title VII;

  5. Improving opportunities for parents, families and Tribes and other Native communities to participate in the education of Native children;

  6. Improving the measurement system for Adequate Yearly Progress;

  7. Requiring the collection of data and research on the education of Native children;

  8. Increasing Funding for NCLB, especially Title VII – Indian Education; and

WHEREAS, there is a also a need to address the unique issues and role of Native students,parents, communities and tribes under the NCLB provisions for Homeless Education, Migrant Education and Alcohol/Drug Prevention and Education; and

WHEREAS, these key legislative provisions promotes the sovereignty of tribes and will continue to strengthen the educational, social, health and economic well—-being of our diverse Native communities and tribes.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION will advocate and promote the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians through the NIEA legislative priorities to strengthen Native education under the No Child Left Behind legislation.

Steven Peters