2011-10: Support for Expanded College and Career Readiness Programs through Relevant federal/state/tribal Policies which Create Effective Partnerships and Collaborations

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 Indian, 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 Native and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, the Native American student population is not producing college graduates, completing post-secondary training, and entering the workforce at the levels of other population groups; and

WHEREAS, Tribes have always provided scholarships/grants/vocational training/work experience programs to their tribal membership, and have provided other student support services when funds/resources were available; and

WHEREAS, Native American students participate in college and career readiness programs such as but not limited to the following; SAT/ACT prep, WIA summer work programs, AP courses, internships, summer enrichment camps, Upward Bound, school sponsored activities and college readiness counseling; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association asks all entities to include federal, state, local, in-and-out of school programs, and tribes who work with Native Students to build effective partnerships and collaborations which will increase the number of college graduates, more technical programs completions and more a more effective work force for recent High School graduates; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association encourages tribes to develop and establish policies and programs which starts working with students at the middle grade levels, establish longitudinal data bases for research and evaluation, and establish organic (grow your own) programs.