Equity & Diversity Chat

Improving Education for Native American Students

Some Native Americans contend that NCLB has made it more difficult to teach Native American culture and language in public schools. Our guests discussed ways that federal and state policies can help support the education of Native American students.

Chat: Improving Education for Native American Students

Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 3 p.m. Eastern time
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Improving Education for Native American Students

(08/11/2010)

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10:12

EdWeek Producer: Jennifer:
Today’s chat, “Improving Education for Native American Students,” is open for questions. Please start submitting them now.

The chat itself will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern time. Thanks for joining us.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 10:12 EdWeek Producer: Jennifer

3:00

Mary Ann Zehr:
Welcome everyone to a chat about how to make schooling more relevant and engaging for Native American students. I’m pleased that Keith O. Moore, the director of the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education, and Leslie Harper, a director of an Ojibwe language-immersion school, are with us today. Keith and Leslie, please start out by telling us a bit more about yourselves.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:00 Mary Ann Zehr

3:01

Keith Moore:
Hi! My name is Keith Moore. I’m from Rosebud, South Dakota. I’ve been in education for 20 years as a teacher, coach school administrator State office of Indian Education and University adminsitration. I’m excited to be here today.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:01 Keith Moore

3:02

Leslie Harper:
Aaniin, I am a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in north central Minnesota. I am a co-founder of our Ojibwe Language immersion school, Niigaane.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:02 Leslie Harper

3:02

Mary Ann Zehr:
We have a lot of great questions already. Keith, please answer this one from Tom Raymond about how the No Child Left Behind Act affects the education of Native American students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:02 Mary Ann Zehr

3:02

[Comment From Tom RaymondTom Raymond: ]
The No Child Left Behind philosophy has made it more difficult to teach language, culture, fine arts, physical education, and the like. The emphasis seems to be is on math and reading at the expense of other subjects. I do agree that Indian students need to show a great deal of improvement. Many factors influence this but more money and excuses should not be included.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:02 Tom Raymond

3:02

Mary Ann Zehr:
It’s really a comment, not a question, but please respond.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:02 Mary Ann Zehr

3:03

Keith Moore:
I agree with him. students need a well rounded education.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:03 Keith Moore

3:03

Keith Moore:
We shouldn’t be pointing fingers but focusing on solutions.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:03 Keith Moore

3:03

Mary Ann Zehr:
What are some solutions, Keith?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:03 Mary Ann Zehr

3:04

Keith Moore:
BIE schools have been focusing on Indian language and culture for many years. Local school boards can approve local curricula.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:04 Keith Moore

3:04

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie, what do you see as some solutions?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:04 Mary Ann Zehr

3:05

Leslie Harper:
I, too, believe that a well-rounded education should be a priority for our students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:05 Leslie Harper

3:05

Keith Moore:
Common core, common standards. Better teacher/administator recruitment and retention.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:05 Keith Moore

3:06

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie, here’s a question for you about why test scores for Native American students lag behind those of other students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:06 Mary Ann Zehr

3:06

[Comment From Terry PechotaTerry Pechota: ]
Why are the Native American achievement scores so far behind those of the public schools.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:06 Terry Pechota

3:06

Leslie Harper:
cross-content use of academic subject area items can be used in schools as well.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:06 Leslie Harper

3:07

Leslie Harper:
There are no simple answers to why our achievement scores are behind any non-native peer scores.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:07 Leslie Harper

3:07

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith, would you please weigh in as well on this question about test scores?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:07 Mary Ann Zehr

3:07

Keith Moore:
Irregardless of whether it’s a BIE or public school the overall reservation barriers are more plentiful and deeper due to socio- economic and social factors.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:07 Keith Moore

3:07

Leslie Harper:
we do need to find ways to connect our students’ experiences to the school’s institutional setting

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:07 Leslie Harper

3:08

Keith Moore:
It’s tougher to recruit teachers to rural disadvantaged communities

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:08 Keith Moore

3:08

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie, please respond to this question about specific standards for Native American history. Would they be useful?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:08 Mary Ann Zehr

3:08

[Comment From Marty ConradMarty Conrad: ]
Will there every be a National Native American History standards? I am leading the awareness of creating a Native American History standards for the state of Wyoming that remains the only Inter-mountain state that doesn’t have a Native American history standard..but we’re meeting in Feb. for a review for admending these standards. Also, looking for a Native American History text for a high school class to teach. thanks FYI

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:08 Marty Conrad

3:09

Leslie Harper:
I don’t think that we can respectfully create a national native american history standard.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:09 Leslie Harper

3:09

Mary Ann Zehr:
Is it appropriate for tribes to come up with standards for their own histories, Leslie?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:09 Mary Ann Zehr

3:10

Leslie Harper:
there are hundreds of tribes across the larger nation, and we should be careful to create standards that honor the local area contributors as well.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:10 Leslie Harper

3:10

Leslie Harper:
Mary Ann, yes, I believe that it should be a local decision.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:10 Leslie Harper

3:10

Keith Moore:
you could talk in a more general sense of the history of native americans and have input at the local levels where appropriate. Utilize Native American scholars to provide input.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:10 Keith Moore

3:11

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith: Here’s a question for you about dropout rates.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:11 Mary Ann Zehr

3:11

[Comment From Becky MaracichBecky Maracich: ]
Native students have an alarming dropout rate...what are some ways you see that schools and educators can build resilience in Native students?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:11 Becky Maracich

3:11

Leslie Harper:
with localized decisions and determinations, we get buy-in to the educational process. the decision-makers are internal members.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:11 Leslie Harper

3:12

Mary Ann Zehr:
And meanwhile, here’s someone wishing you well in your new job, Keith.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:12 Mary Ann Zehr

3:12

[Comment From k skenandorek skenandore: ]
good luck to our new director,

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:12 k skenandore

3:12

Keith Moore:
That’s where language and cultures can pay strong respect. Make the curriculum that is more meaningful and relevant to Native students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:12 Keith Moore

3:13

Keith Moore:
Teacher/Administrator with strong understanding of native students and their backgrounds is important.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:13 Keith Moore

3:13

Mary Ann Zehr:
Do either of you have more to say about how to prepare teachers to work well with Native American students?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:13 Mary Ann Zehr

3:13

[Comment From Jan MartinJan Martin: ]
In terms of teachers, what can be done to ensure teachers have the content and cultural background needed to meet the high standards outlined in the common core and connect to local culture?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:13 Jan Martin

3:14

Leslie Harper:
Becky: I agree with Keith. when we include language and culture of the students, we can re-build the esteem for the tribal nationality, which has historically been downplayed as a ‘non-contribution’ to the ongoing health of the community.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:14 Leslie Harper

3:14

Mary Ann Zehr:
Meanwhile, here’s a comment from a Dine’ student about his project.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:14 Mary Ann Zehr

3:14

[Comment From Dennis LamentiDennis Lamenti: ]
I am a Dine’ student in a PhD program in astronomy. I have been working with others in my Tribe to integrate what has been taught to us, so that math and science are meaningful to the NA student. This is being done with other indigenous peoples in Canada and New Zealand and here in the U.S. as well. I do not have any numbers on how that is working out with respect to finishing, but I bet it is engaging.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:14 Dennis Lamenti

3:15

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie: Here’s a question with your name on it.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:15 Mary Ann Zehr

3:15

[Comment From Roger BordeauxRoger Bordeaux: ]
Leslie, can you discuss some of the recent Culturally Based Education research that seems to indicate that CBE does positively influence core academic achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:15 Roger Bordeaux

3:16

Keith Moore:
Utilizing university and schools of education how they prepare teachers and school administrators. Working with tribes and states to ensure professional development is provided to teachers/administrators. Making it an educational priority at the highest levels.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:16 Keith Moore

3:16

Leslie Harper:
creation of culturally-relevant teacher prep programs at the college level are necessary. creation of a community space in which to practice/participate in meaningful cultural activities is also necessary.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:16 Leslie Harper

3:17

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith or Leslie: Please don’t forget Roger’s question about the research...

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:17 Mary Ann Zehr

3:17

Leslie Harper:
Roger, our Niigaane school has partnered with other lang. immersion schools around the US to determine the effects of CBE on teh student achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:17 Leslie Harper

3:18

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie: Any promising results of the effects of CBE on achievement?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:18 Mary Ann Zehr

3:18

Keith Moore:
If it’s more meaningful and relevant for the students, we find it to be true.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:18 Keith Moore

3:18

Leslie Harper:
working with others in HI, AZ, MT, AK, we are working on measuring the amount of CBE present at a school, and measuring kids’ academic achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:18 Leslie Harper

3:19

Mary Ann Zehr:
Here’s a question about textbooks followed by a recommendation for a resource. Either of you, please weigh in on the importance of good materials.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:19 Mary Ann Zehr

3:19

[Comment From Dr. PitreDr. Pitre: ]
In some areas the core curriculum textbooks are so old and out of date if the schools even have classroom sets. How can students learn when materials are inadequate?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:19 Dr. Pitre

3:19

[Comment From Michelle SauveMichelle Sauve: ]
To the reader looking for a textbook- I would recommend Native American Testimony: A Chronicle of Indian-White Relations from Prophecy to the Present by Peter Nabokov

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:19 Michelle Sauve

3:19

Leslie Harper:
at our Ojibwe immersion site, we are seeing that our students’ language and social development is tightly tied to their academic achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:19 Leslie Harper

3:20

Keith Moore:
More important than the textbook is the person who is teaching.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:20 Keith Moore

3:20

Keith Moore:
there’s much quality research teachers can glean from the current technology highway.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:20 Keith Moore

3:20

Leslie Harper:
Roger, our other school partners have a longer track record than we do here in MN, and their results are showing high levels of graduation, and they are meeting or exceeding english-monolingual peers in academic expectations.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:20 Leslie Harper

3:21

Leslie Harper:
We need to longitudinally collect the data on our students’ performance in order to start determining trends here in MN,

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:21 Leslie Harper

3:21

Leslie Harper:
though we have some promising results.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:21 Leslie Harper

3:21

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith: What do you think about Dr. Lone’s idea, which follows here?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:21 Mary Ann Zehr

3:21

[Comment From Dr. LoneDr. Lone: ]
could there be a national effort to create a large ‘think tank’ of Native scholars to assist in the conversation around teacher training, assessment writing, research development/usage, case studies from the classroom, curriculum repository?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:21 Dr. Lone

3:22

Keith Moore:
Yes.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:22 Keith Moore

3:22

Keith Moore:
that could be considered.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:22 Keith Moore

3:22

Leslie Harper:
We have 25 students in grades 1-5 here at our school, and we are building our achievement norms now within our static population.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:22 Leslie Harper

3:22

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie, another question with your name on it.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:22 Mary Ann Zehr

3:22

[Comment From Andy LeijaAndy Leija: ]
For Leslie: we don’t seem to have a community space, as you’ve stated, where current teachers of NA students can engage in meaningful learning and dialogue...do you have any ideas?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:22 Andy Leija

3:23

Leslie Harper:
Andy: In many cases, it must be created. That’s what we are finding in our language and cultural revitalization work here as well.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:23 Leslie Harper

3:24

Mary Ann Zehr:
I promised that the chat would talk about federal and state policies to support the education of Native American students. Could each of you please weigh in on this next question?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:24 Mary Ann Zehr

3:24

[Comment From Mari RasmussenMari Rasmussen: ]
What would you like to see included in the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for Native American students?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:24 Mari Rasmussen

3:24

Leslie Harper:
Andy: Partnerships with local tribal communities can be created to support the community space: tribal colleges, tribal cultural practitioners. Can and *should* be created to make the experience meaningful.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:24 Leslie Harper

3:25

Leslie Harper:
Mari:
Title VII should include formula funding for indigenous language immersion schools.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:25 Leslie Harper

3:26

Keith Moore:
Common core standards and assessments. { All of BIE’s policies are in 25 CFR 32.}

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:26 Keith Moore

3:26

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith, could you elaborate? Are you saying that adoption of common core standards should be required?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:26 Mary Ann Zehr

3:26

Keith Moore:
Development of tribal education agencies

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:26 Keith Moore

3:27

Leslie Harper:
Title 1 should include a provision to treat native langauge immersion schools like Puerto Rico - assessments for AYP determination should be given in the language of instruction. i.e. here at Niigaane, our AYP determinants would be in Ojibwe langauge, not in english langauge b/c the students are not educated in english.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:27 Leslie Harper

3:27

Keith Moore:
The development of a framework for the DOI and Dept. of Ed to work collaboratively on Indian Education.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:27 Keith Moore

3:28

Keith Moore:
NCLB requires alll schools to be accredited. common core standards are related. Without a common core, we have 23 different assessments for the BIE and it makes it hard for us to adequately assess our Native students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:28 Keith Moore

3:29

Leslie Harper:
Mari:
Alterantive assessments in the langauge of instruction, teacher qualifications relative to teaching in an immersion environment that see our immersion teachers (highly proficient language speakers) as ‘Highly Qualified’ teachers.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:29 Leslie Harper

3:29

Mary Ann Zehr:
Backing up a bit, here’s a question referring to how things are going now in Indian Country with the No Child Left Behind Act. What advice do you have for schools that have struggled under the accountability provisions of the law?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:29 Mary Ann Zehr

3:29

[Comment From russ begayruss begay: ]
What to do with schools that have not made ayp for 5 or more years.. any comments and why not bring back the principals academy (germaine and sorenson)

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:29 russ begay

3:29

Mary Ann Zehr:
I don’t know what the principals’ academy is, though. Explain if you do.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:29 Mary Ann Zehr

3:30

Keith Moore:
AYP isn’t an adequate way to gauge student test scores when you have different levels of cut scores, differing standards and assessments. The level of rigor is different across all 50 states

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:30 Keith Moore

3:31

Leslie Harper:
Mari: in the reauth. of the ESEA, students at immersion schools should accommodate limited Native language proficiency students, similar to LEP students given accommodations for english lang. proficiency.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:31 Leslie Harper

3:31

Keith Moore:
On the principal’s academy-- any professional development activity that is well designed and implemented can build leadership skills.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:31 Keith Moore

3:32

Mary Ann Zehr:
But any more advice to schools that are dealing with AYP now?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:32 Mary Ann Zehr

3:33

Keith Moore:
Since 2002, what are schools doing to study their data: consider research available to address their ability to address AYP. We all need to assess our work to improve our test scores for student achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:33 Keith Moore

3:33

Leslie Harper:
I agree with Keith, AYP is not an adequate way to gauge student achievement.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:33 Leslie Harper

3:34

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith: Here are two follow-up questions to your remarks about a framework. Please respond.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:34 Mary Ann Zehr

3:34

[Comment From Mari RasmussenMari Rasmussen: ]
Keith, who could inititate that framework for the DOI and tribal colleges and USDE to work collaboratively together to benefit K - 12 Native American kids?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:34 Mari Rasmussen

3:34

[Comment From Julane WhippleJulane Whipple: ]
what about including HHS and dept of commerce in the collaboration of a framework for Indian Education?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:34 Julane Whipple

3:34

Mary Ann Zehr:
Meanwhile, Russ is explaining what the principals’ academy is. Thanks, Russ.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:34 Mary Ann Zehr

3:34

[Comment From russ begayruss begay: ]
the principals academy was run by rick st germaine and mark sorenson to help principals be more successful in the schools. dave anderson endorsed this in the early 2000, there should be more academies like these.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:34 russ begay

3:35

Keith Moore:
It’s leadership within the DOI and Department of Education and/or have it in the reauthorization language. We may want to look at including HHS and Dept. of Commerce or include further intergovernmental partnerships.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:35 Keith Moore

3:35

Leslie Harper:
Mari and Julane: interagency collaboration is definitely necessary to benefit our students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:35 Leslie Harper

3:37

Mary Ann Zehr:
Here’s a question referring to what standards for all students should include about Native American issues. We touched on this before, but perhaps you could give us a few more specifics.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:37 Mary Ann Zehr

3:37

[Comment From Richard SmileyRichard Smiley: ]
Is there a need for states to review their student content standards to insure that adequate coverage of Native American issues is included?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:37 Richard Smiley

3:39

Keith Moore:
Yes. I can reference my own state. We developed our core standards around NA history and culture, which could be used to implementation in our state standards. SD is currently considering these to infuse within the 15 percent that others can add what they would like within the common core initiative.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:39 Keith Moore

3:40

Leslie Harper:
Richard: Yes. We do not now have common standards - so, it is up to each state to ensure that nat. am. issues are included in the standards. MN is making an effort currently to include the contributions of teh local tribes in teh standards. it’s been a multi-year process

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:40 Leslie Harper

3:41

Mary Ann Zehr:
Let’s return to the issue of textbooks for a bit.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:41 Mary Ann Zehr

3:41

[Comment From KathyKathy: ]
Published textbooks play such a strong role in the classroom. Do you have knowledge/opinions about those texts that contain rich, relevant, meaningful lessons? Other resources, perhaps? It’s hard for one (elementary) teacher to be proficient in so many subjects while at the same time trying to meet the needs of diverse learners while at the same time being culturally sensitive to all students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:41 Kathy

3:42

Keith Moore:
(referencing the Native history) Again, this would be something to be sponsored by Presidential Executive Order or Congressional mandatory language.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:42 Keith Moore

3:43

Mary Ann Zehr:
Here are two related questions about how schools should deal with the history of how Native Americans have been mistreated by whites. What’s your thinking on this?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:43 Mary Ann Zehr

3:43

[Comment From WenonaWenona: ]
Is American Indian historical trauma incorporated into curriculum in your programs?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:43 Wenona

3:44

[Comment From Andrew WheelockAndrew Wheelock: ]
There is considerable anti-American sentiment among our local nations in New York State, how do we as educators convince Native students that American citizenship/ and by extension United States education is valuable to their success as members of both Nations?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:44 Andrew Wheelock

3:44

Keith Moore:
In answer to Kathy’s question, that’s difficult to answer. It would require research at the local level. Sometimes we have 50 to 60 tribes represented within our boarding schools. It makes it difficult to provide information for each perspective. Again, the common core would assist here.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:44 Keith Moore

3:45

Keith Moore:
The world is becoming a more global society everyday. We need to be teaching respect across cultural fences.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:45 Keith Moore

3:45

Leslie Harper:
Kathy: there is so little available in Ojibwe-langauge only commercially-published materials that we end up making materials and/or translating some available items. I agree, it is a difficult task to stay on top of all academic content areas while also trying to create materials that will engage the students!

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:45 Leslie Harper

3:47

Leslie Harper:
We find here at our Ojibwe language immersion school, that the respect for life and sustaining life in the world raises our students’ understanding of diversity..

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:47 Leslie Harper

3:47

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith: Here’s a very general question about how to improve schooling for Native Americans. Please address it according to what you’re seeing in your new job at the Bureau of Indian Education. What are your ideas?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:47 Mary Ann Zehr

3:47

[Comment From Terry PechotaTerry Pechota: ]
What is the plan to improve the academic achievement for Native Americans?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:47 Terry Pechota

3:49

Leslie Harper:
Wenona & Andrew: trying not to become rampant nationalists, we do promote a healthy idea of Ojibwe citizenship that is based on historical events that lead us up to contemporary events. “How did we get to the place we are today? How will we move forward as a nation?” --

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:49 Leslie Harper

3:49

Leslie Harper:
of course, that’s what any community wishes to teach her students, right?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:49 Leslie Harper

3:49

Mary Ann Zehr:
Meanwhile, here’s a comment from Debbie with a resource.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:49 Mary Ann Zehr

3:49

[Comment From Debby YarbroughDebby Yarbrough: ]
Re developing partnerships to improve education for Native American students: Local sites of the National Writing Project may serve as resources for the discussion/exploration of issues relevant to teaching Native American students and creating relevant professional development. I am a teacher-consultant with the Oklahoma State University Writing Project, part of the National Writing Project. Our site has begun to explore partnering with the Pawnee Nation to provide relevant professional development for teachers. I know that other writing project sites, especially in Montana and the Southwest, have worked with teachers of Native American students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:49 Debby Yarbrough

3:50

Keith Moore:
Solving our working to address the revolving door of teachers/administrators, standards and assessements for our 183 schools that we serve. Assessing our curriculum and our school atmosphere to make sure it’s safe and secure, how do we engage tribal leaders in educational issues, strong policy language at the national level to address rural disadvantaged educational issues, are a few, off the top of my head.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:50 Keith Moore

3:50

Mary Ann Zehr:
And our readers aren’t satisfied with the discussion we’ve had about research of culturally-based education. Here’s a chance for you to add more on this topic.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:50 Mary Ann Zehr

3:50

[Comment From Maxine DalyMaxine Daly: ]
Is there convincing research that links academic achievement to culture and Native American language instruction?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:50 Maxine Daly

3:51

Keith Moore:
Debby -- partnerships, intergovernmental, private, foundations, with states departments of ed that advocate for na issues will be important as we move forward.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:51 Keith Moore

3:53

Leslie Harper:
Terry: address policy issues to include instruction and accountability in our langauges, at our locally-determined standards. Recruitment of local community members for educational site professionals.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:53 Leslie Harper

3:54

Keith Moore:
[Maxine] We find that we are on the forefront of this research. It appears there is minimal research at this point in time.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Keith Moore

3:54

Mary Ann Zehr:
Keith: Please answer this question about roles of federal agencies.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Mary Ann Zehr

3:54

[Comment From Kerry BirdKerry Bird: ]
What is the relationship between the Bureau of Indian Education and the Office of Indian Education within the U.S. Department of Education? What role, if any, does BIE play in addressing educational issues of Native students who live off the reservation and attend public schools?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Kerry Bird

3:54

Keith Moore:
We’re aware of a recent study conducted by Pennsylvania State University.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Keith Moore

3:54

Leslie Harper:
Maxine: there are decades of research on immersion education and the benefits of mulitlingualism. For those of us in tribal communities, however,

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Leslie Harper

3:54

Leslie Harper:
this is new and exciting work.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:54 Leslie Harper

3:55

Keith Moore:
Kerry -- we are beginning to build a collaborative effort with the Dept. of Ed. We hope this collaboration will benefit both agencies in their work with NA students in their educational outcomes.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:55 Keith Moore

3:56

Mary Ann Zehr:
In our last few minutes, Keith and Leslie, please weigh in with anything else you really would like to say to participants. What have we missed that you’d like to talk about yet?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:56 Mary Ann Zehr

3:56

Leslie Harper:
Maxine: since our languages were removed from our educational settings in favor of english language policies, we are working to re-create the plans at our educational sites to create a link between our students’ identity and our community engagement in the education.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:56 Leslie Harper

3:59

Keith Moore:
The BIE is honored to have participated today. We look forward to enhancing learning, providing service and working with Indian country as we go forward. Thanks!

Wednesday August 11, 2010 3:59 Keith Moore

4:00

Mary Ann Zehr:
Here’s an appreciative comment from a participant.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:00 Mary Ann Zehr

4:00

[Comment From Dennis LamentiDennis Lamenti: ]
Thank you for this online discussion. It certainly enlightened me on several fronts concerning work to be done in improving education for NA students.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:00 Dennis Lamenti

4:00

Mary Ann Zehr:
Leslie? Your final words?

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:00 Mary Ann Zehr

4:00

Leslie Harper:
Maxine: we also need more money for the research efforts that we are taking on! stronger federal support CBE research is a great need.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:00 Leslie Harper

4:01

Mary Ann Zehr:
Thanks to both of you for your concrete answers. Thanks for your participation.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:01 Mary Ann Zehr

4:01

EdWeek Producer: Jennifer:
Thank you also to Mary Ann for moderating today’s chat. A transcript of the chat will be available tomorrow on this same page.

For more upcoming Education Week chats, go to www.edweek.org/go/chats.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:01 EdWeek Producer: Jennifer

4:01

Leslie Harper:
Miigwech giinawaa, thanks for this opportunity today. I had a great time talkign with others out there who work with our students and care for the future.

Wednesday August 11, 2010 4:01 Leslie Harper

4:01

Chat: Improving Education for Native American Students

Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 3 p.m. Eastern time

The average math and reading scores for Native American and Alaska Native students on the National Assessment of Educational Progress remained flat from 2005 to 2009, according to a recent federal report. Some Native Americans contend that the No Child Left Behind Act has made it more difficult to teach Native American culture and language in public schools, which they say is one way to engage Native American youths in learning. Our guests discussed ways that federal and state policies can help to support the education of Native American students.

Guests:
Keith O. Moore, director of the Bureau of Indian Education for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Mr. Moore is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota.

Leslie Harper, co-director of Niigaane Ojibwemowin Immersion, an Ojibwe language-immersion school on the Leech Lake Reservation in north-central Minnesota. Ms. Harper is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

Mary Ann Zehr, an assistant editor for Education Week and the Learning the Language blogger moderated this chat.

Related Stories:

• NCLB Seen Impeding Indigenous-Language Preservation (July 14, 2010)
• NAEP Scores Stagnating for Native American Pupils (June 30, 2010)