Testimony of Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert, President National Indian Education Association before the Education and Labor Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education on Challenges Facing Bureau of Indian Education Schools in Improving Student Achievement

National Indian Education Association. 110 Maryland Avenue NE Suite 104, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 202-544-7290; Fax: 202-544-7293; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.niea.org

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American Indian Education; Public Schools; Academic Achievement; Public Agencies; Agency Cooperation; Federal Programs; Educational Indicators; Federal Indian Relationship; Culturally Relevant Education; American Indian Languages; Immersion Programs; School Construction; Educational Facilities Improvement; Student Transportation; Tribally Controlled Education; Grants

Johnson O Malley Act; No Child Left Behind Act 2001

In this testimony, Dr. Willard Sakiestewa Gilbert talks on behalf of the National Indian Education Association with regard to the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and challenges facing BIE schools in improving student achievement. Founded in 1969, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) is the largest organization in the nation dedicated to Native education advocacy issues and embraces a membership of nearly 4,000 American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian educators, tribal leaders, school administrators, teachers, elders, parents, and students. This testimony also presents a summary of the concerns NIEA has heard throughout the past few years on BIE schools and student achievement. NIEA has provided recommendations for some of the concerns raised, including legislative amendments to NCLB provided to the Committee in March of 2007. (Contains 20 footnotes.)

ERIC

2011

ED523543