Improving Indian schools remains big challenge (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Posted on Tue, Apr. 20, 2004

Improving Indian schools remains big challenge
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/8474569.htm

Associated Press

OACOMA, S.D. - American Indian schools need money, better-trained
teachers and a focus on language and culture, Indian educators told
state Education Secretary Rick Melmer on Monday.

Those attending the Indian Education Summit also said many schools for
Indian children are falling apart, that more education technology is
needed and that an American Indian Research Institute should be created
to gather solid information about Indian education.

Melmer asked participants to conclude the meeting Tuesday by identifying
a few major priorities that could be tackled in the coming year.

South Dakota should strive to become first in the nation in the amount
of money it directs to all areas of education, said Lowell Amiotte of
Rapid City, a member of a subcommittee that listed money as the first
of four recommendations.

"We want the best and the brightest teaching our children," Amiotte
said. "We have to pay for them."

Amiotte said teachers should have more than a three-hour course of
American Indian studies to qualify for a certificate. His group also
recommended the research institute, as well as a state fund to help pay
the costs to have student teachers get experience with Indian students.

Some studies have shown that Indian children perform well in school if
they know their own language and cultures, Stephanie Charging Eagle of
Oglala Lakota College said.

"Schools can't do that alone," she said. "The community has to get
involved."

After the day's session, the principal of Enemy Swim Day School near
Waubay said there is genuine excitement over the prospect of
communication with the state in matters of Indian education.

"Nobody has ever asked us for our ideas," Sherry Johnson said. "Now that
they have, they may wish they hadn't. They'll have to keep working at
this. It probably seems overwhelming in a lot of ways, but it feels
good to be part of the discussion."