Indian Education for All History Presented by Jeredene Mayfield Montana’s North Central Education Service Region (MNCESR) February 2007

Purpose Provide a basic understanding of the historical perspective in Montana Identify law’s requirements

Timeline Mid-1800’s –Federal and tribal agreements to provide free education to Indian children by government controlled schools within reservation boundaries 1864 –First Missionary School in Montana is opened to serve American Indians in St. Ignatius 1934 –Johnson – O’Malley Act – One of the principle vehicles for subsidizing education by the federal government for Indian children. Amended in 1936

Timeline (cont.) 1947 –American Indian students attend public schools under compulsory attendance requirements 1950 –Impact Aid (Reauthorized 2002 NCLB) – “LEA’s will not only meet the highest quality of basic elementary/secondary school needs, but also the unique educational and culturally related academic needs of the children.” Title Programs – Indian Ed – Title VII (Federal funds received by reservation schools because of federal activity)

Timeline (cont.) 1972 –Indian Education Act (Title IV of Public Law ) –Montana Constitution – Article X, section 1(2) language specific to preserving the cultural integrity of the state's tribal nations 1975 –Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act – “It is the obligation of the United States to respond to the strong expression of the Indian People for self-determination by assuring maximum Indian participation.”

Timeline (cont.) 1975 –Montana State Board of Education convened educators to create an Indian Culture Master Plan Enrich background of public school personnel in Native American cultures 1983 –“Nation at Risk” published calling for reform in U.S. education system.

Timeline (cont.) 1984 –1 st school funding lawsuit Helena School District v. State Establishes a special burden in Montana for the education of American Indians children that must be addressed… –Montana Advisory Council for Indian Education (MACIE) formed as advisory to OPI and Board of Education

Timeline (cont.) 1990 –Native American Languages Act –Montana Indian educators created a State Plan Outlined action steps for stakeholders in Indian Education 1991 –“Indian Nations at Risk” study & development of action plan to improve educational achievement of American Indians and Alaskan Natives. (MT was a vital Component of this study) –Indian Affairs Committee Reports

Timeline (cont.) 1997 –Montana Legislature passes American Indian Heritage Day Law 1999 –Montana Indian Education for All MCA Recognition of American Indian cultural heritage -- legislative intent –Montana Review and Revisions of State Standards – First set of guidelines for MCA : Social Studies, Arts, World Languages.

Timeline (cont.) 2000 –Essential Understandings Regarding American Indians 2002 –No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – signed into law

Timeline (cont.) 2003 –Montana districts submit 5 Year plans to OPI –Initial AYP status determined for state districts and schools 2004 –Montana Quality Education Coalition sues state over unconstitutionality of school funding scheme Columbia Falls v. State

Timeline (cont.) April 30, Indian Education Executive Order President Bush signs the Executive Order to emphasize Indian Education accountability for NCLB.

Timeline (cont.) 2005 –Quality School Decision State funds IEA for 1 st time during special session MCA

Montana Constitution 1972 – Article X, section 1(2) “The state recognizes the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and is committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural integrity.”

Indian Education for All MCA (1) It is the constitutionally declared policy of this state to recognize the distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians and to be committed in its educational goals to the preservation of their cultural heritage.

MCA (2) It is the intent of the legislature that in accordance with Article X, section 1(2), of the Montana constitution: (a) every Montanan, whether Indian or non- Indian, be encouraged to learn about the distinct and unique heritage of American Indians in a culturally responsive manner; and

MCA (2) (b) every educational agency and all educational personnel will work cooperatively with Montana tribes or those tribes that are in close proximity, when providing instruction or when implementing an educational goal or adopting a rule related to the education of each Montana citizen, to include information specific to the cultural heritage and contemporary contributions of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Montana Indian tribal groups and governments.

MCA (3) It is also the intent of this part, predicated on the belief that all school personnel should have an understanding and awareness of Indian tribes to help them relate effectively with Indian students and parents, that educational personnel provide means by which school personnel will gain an understanding of and appreciation for the American Indian people.

Office of Public Instruction Goals All Montanan’s learn about American Indians Closing the American Indian student achievement gap

References Montana Code and Constitution – Montana Office of Public Instruction Indian Education – Chris Olszewski – Director GTCC