2010-03: In Support of Tribal Government Administration of Indian Education

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA as the largest national Indian organization of American Indians, Alaska 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 Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is currently up for reauthorization and is the most important federal law that applies to tribal students; and

WHEREAS, tribal students, whether they attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded schools or state public schools, are served by all ESEA programs; and

WHEREAS, all ESEA programs could do more to help tribal students by recognizing a rote, or by enhancing the role, including in public school education, of tribal governments as sovereign nations; and

WHEREAS, tribal governments are in the best position to implement tribal education priorities and coordinate state and federal education programs that serve tribal students; and

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, does hereby support the authorization of, and/or increasing, tribal eligibility for all pe1ti.11ent ESEA program and formula funding including state level formula funding; and tribal administration of programs and services supported by such funding; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supp01ts tribal-state education compacts to coordinate tribal, state, and federal resources, and develop partnerships to improve tribal student academic performance and increase accountability; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, suppo1ts tribal-state compacts that encourage tribal administration of services currently provided by state education agencies for public schools located on Indian lands. These services include data collection, reporting, and analysis, and development of curricula, standards, assessments, teacher training, and professional development; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, supports the authorization of intergovernmental agreements in education between tribes and public school districts; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT THE NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, support tribal administration of Indian education.