2019-05: Expanding Federal Resources and Funding for Native Students with Disabilities

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 Native organization of American Indian, Alaska Native, 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 Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Native 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, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students are overrepresented in special education programs; and

WHEREAS, over 16 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native students have been identified for special needs programs in comparison to the 12 percent nationwide average and American Indian and Alaska Native boys are 1.5 times more likely than their peers to be identified for special education services; and

WHEREAS, data regarding the education outcomes of Native students with disabilities remains scarce due to small student populations; and

WHEREAS, teacher shortages, special education certification issues, and inconsistencies between special education program management when transferring between public, tribally-controlled, and Bureau of Indian Education schools exacerbate existing challenges for Native students with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, high-quality, culturally responsive technical assistance to support schools and educators in serving Native students with disabilities remains scarce; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association urges Congress to support full funding to support culturally responsive special education programs, and professional development programs for educators of Native students with disabilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that NIEA urges the federal government to oversample Native students in any survey or study that examines the delivery of education services to students with disabilities; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that this resolution shall be the policy of NIEA until it is withdrawn or modified by subsequent resolution.