04.22.15

Investing in the Future of American Indian and Alaska Native Students

WASHINGTON – Today, the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing to discuss the educational challenges impacting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students and schools. The hearing entitled “Examining the Challenges Facing Native American Schools” is the first hearing exploring this topic since 2008. Ranking Member of the Committee on Education and the Workforce Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) joined the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) to discuss comprehensive solutions for all schools – Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), tribally controlled and public schools – serving Native American students. 

“American Indian and Alaska Native students have some of the lowest achievement rates of any student population,” said Ranking Member Scott. “As this committee engages in the important work of improving the nation’s education system, we cannot forget about the Native American community.”

“The challenges facing American Indian and Alaska Native students are complex,” said Ranking Member Fudge. “While congressional oversight is required to ensure the Bureau of Indian Education and the Department of Education fulfills their obligations to these students, we know the long history of broken federal promises to our tribes and their children requires extra vigilance. It is imperative to have the necessary funding and comprehensive policies to give these students all the tools they need to succeed.”

Quinton Roman Nose, Executive Director and a founding member of the Tribal Education Departments National Assembly (TEDNA), served as the Democratic witness at today’s hearing.  Mr. Roman Nose testified on promoting and developing educational initiatives and opportunities to improve the educational levels of AI/AN students and tribal members. As a former President for multiple organizations including TEDNA, the Oklahoma Indian Higher Education Scholarship Administrators Association, and the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), Mr. Roman Nose has dedicated most of his career to the field of Indian education.

“While there are serious challenges facing Native American schools and students, there are promising [Tribal Education Agencies (TEAs)] and programs that are currently making advances,” said Roman Nose. “With the federal assistance for TEAs, we hope to continue to make gains and provide TEAs with a greater role in the education of their students.”

Overall, federal education policy is failing Native American students, and data on academic outcomes for AI/AN students is very troubling. Fixing the BIE and improving education services to AI/AN students are difficult tasks, but Congress must do its part to push for positive reforms and to be a voice for AI/AN students.

Find Ranking Member Fudge’s statement here.

Find Mr. Roman Nose’s full testimony here.

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