TEDNA

Study of Native Language Immersion Schools Amendment (#2240):
This amendment offered by Senators Schatz (D-HI), Murkowski (R-AK), and Daines (R-MT) will provide a study to evaluate all levels of education being provided primarily through the medium of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian languages and to require a report of the findings.

While the cognitive benefits of bilingual education are well-known, this study will help to understand how native language medium education can help students develop a more positive identity, build leadership skills, gain greater resiliency, and acquire tools needed to overcome sociocultural challenges. Finally, the study will assess the role of Native American language medium schools in preserving, protecting and revitalizing indigenous languages; and, in addressing deep rooted educational disparities confronted by Native communities.

Accountability Amendment (#2241):

This amendment offered by Senators Murphy (D-CT), Warren (D-MA), Coons (D-DE), and Durbin (D-IL) calls for strengthened accountability so that none of our students, including Native youth, fall through the cracks.

Reasons this amendments is important to Native schools:
-BIE schools have an average graduation rate of 53% compared to the national average of 81%;
-Native students continually perform academically behind their peers – scoring below the national average on reading and math;
-95% of Native students attend public schools and states must be accountability to our tribes for their academic performance.

ACT NOW FOR NATIVE EDUCATION
CALL YOUR SENATOR TODAY

Reach out to your state’s Senator and ask them to support these important and necessary amendments for Native education.

To find the contact information for your Senator, please click the link below.

To call the general phone line for the Senate, please call (202) 224-3121 and ask to speak with the Senator from your state.