Legislation aims to give Indians more control over their schools (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Legislation aims to give Indians more control over their schools

Submitted by SHNS on Mon, 12/12/2011 - 14:05
By BEN GOAD, The Press-Enterprise washington
USA

WASHINGTON - Seeking to improve an education system he says is failing
Indian country, a House lawmaker wants to overhaul the nation's tribal
schools.

Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., introduced legislation last week that would
provide increased Indian access to funding for at-risk youths and
early childhood education, more adult literacy programs tailored for
Native Americans and a scholarship program for tribal members studying
to become teachers, among other provisions. The bill is called the
Native Culture, Language and Access for Success in Schools -- or
Native CLASS -- Act.

The bill would provide tribal schools with greater control of the
schools and curriculum, allowing tribal educators to incorporate their
culture into classrooms on reservations.

"It allows our tribal schools to use native languages as a primary
language of instruction," Baca said.

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http://www.scrippsnews.com/content/legislation-aims-give-indians-more-control-over-their-schools