Ed. Dept.: Tribes, Districts Must Work Together on Behalf of Native Students

Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, districts with tribal students must work with tribal leaders on issues affecting American Indian and Alaska Native students, new guidance from the U.S. Department of Education says.

A "Dear Colleague Letter" dated Sept. 26 urges affected districts to team with tribes to foster the "collaboration that is a critical part of improving academic outcomes for Native students."

The guidance underscores the requirement that districts with tribal students must consult with tribal leaders on any plan or application for federal grants and funds. That includes programs under Title I that govern neglected, delinquent, or at-risk students and those under Title III that affect English-language learners. Previous iterations of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act did not require districts or states to collect feedback from tribal leaders.

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/learning-the-language/2016/09/districts_tribes_must_work_tog.html