American Indian Education: Additional Education Programs for Indigenous Children

The Federal Indian Education Act was created to make sure there is a complete and inclusive approach in educating Indigenous students. The goal is to help schools improve the achievement of Indigenous students, empower parents, and recognize the importance of Indigenous culture. 

The Federal Act created the Office of Indian Education (OIE) and the National Advisory Council to help schools manage Indian Education. 

Learn more about this at the Office of Indian Education.  

In Minnesota we have a similar law called the American Indian Education Act. The goal of this law is to:

• Make sure Indigenous students get a quality education.
• Support academic achievement of Indigenous students. And 
• Respectfully teach the rich culture and history of Indigenous people.

See the Minnesota Department of Education American Indian Education site.

American Indian education programs are extra, voluntary programs that are designed to meet the needs of Indigenous students. 

Programs can look like:

• Cultural enrichment courses
• Postsecondary preparation for students – getting ready for college
• Seasonal cultural events
• Language education, and more!

School districts with 10 or more Indigenous students must have an advisory committee of Indigenous community members.

The majority of committee members must be parents or guardians of the Indigenous students in the school or program. They make suggestions about curriculum and the educational needs of Indigenous children. 

Learn more about parent advisory committees at the Minnesota Department of Education website.

Some schools have to work with Tribes. Tribal officials must have the chance to play a part in developing programs. Discussing ideas with tribes should happen at the earliest possible stage. It should happen before developing a program, initiative, or policy. This requirement is in the Every Student Succeeds Act. Read more about it at the Minnesota Department of Education website.

School districts with 20 or more Indigenous students may apply for funding from the Minnesota Department of Education for cultural education programs and other services.

The applicant must submit a plan outlining how the money would be spent on activities and programs that benefit their Indigenous students. Read more about it at the Minnesota Department of Education.