New Mexico first state to adopt Navajo textbook

[Francis Hult]

Associated Press

 

New Mexico first state to adopt Navajo textbook

 

State officials formally adopted Yazzie's book, "Dine Bizaad Binahoo'ahh," or "Rediscovering the Navajo Language," this week in Santa Fe. While other books on Navajo language exist, state officials say New Mexico is the first to adopt a Navajo textbook for use in the public education system.

"Overall, we believe it will help improve academic achievement," said state Education Secretary Veronica Garcia.

 

Garcia said research has shown that students who master their native language often have an easier time understanding more abstract concepts in the English language.

About 10 school districts in New Mexico provide Navajo language instruction. During the 2006-07 school year, 5,024 students were learning Navajo, one of seven American Indian languages taught in the public school system.

 

Full story:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5ghiKFmJ2IAt5Cs2sV-LnFivyo_VQD928NGTO0

 

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