ShareThisWASHINGTON - Seeking to improve an education system he says is failing Indian country, a House lawmaker wants to overhaul the nation's tribal schools.
Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., introduced legislation last week that would provide increased Indian access to funding for at-risk youths and early childhood education, more adult literacy programs tailored for Native Americans and a scholarship program for tribal members studying to become teachers, among other provisions. The bill is called the Native Culture, Language and Access for Success in Schools -- or Native CLASS -- Act.
The bill would provide tribal schools with greater control of the schools and curriculum, allowing tribal educators to incorporate their culture into classrooms on reservations.
"It allows our tribal schools to use native languages as a primary language of instruction," Baca said.
The high school dropout rate for Native American students, who number more than 700,000 nationwide, is roughly 50 percent, and their standardized testing scores rank among the lowest in the nation.
James Ramos, chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians who recently became the first American Indian to serve on the California State Board of Education, said the bill would pave the way for different approaches that could lead to measurable improvements in tribal schools.
"In addition to bringing much-needed attention to Indian education, the bill offers an opportunity for discourse between tribes and the Congress to further refine the legislation so it reflects the education goals of Indian Country," Ramos said.
A virtually identical bill by Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, was approved in October by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. It still must pass the full Senate.
Because of its far-ranging implications, Baca's version was referred to three House panels for consideration: the Committee on Education and Workforce, the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Agriculture.
"The bill gives tribal governments more control over education, and works to provide more support to Indian students," Baca said. "It also makes sure that we integrate native culture and languages into tribal education."
Reach Ben Goad at bgoad(at)pe.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com
Must credit The Press-Enterprise of Riverside, Calif.
