Improve student achievement for American Indian/Alaska Native students by building and maintaining relationships with tribal communities

Summary:

Tribal Consultation is a legal requirement per Section 8538 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended through the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It is a formal process between tribal representatives and Local Education Agencies (LEAs) that serve American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations. Tribal Consultation provides a unique opportunity for states, districts, schools, and tribes to work together to strengthen education for AI/AN students. Although not all LEAs in Nevada are required to hold consultation, this process is a way for LEAs to better understand and respect tribal sovereignty and the government-to-government relationship between LEAs and tribes. Ideally, one way to improve student achievement for AI/AN in any school, is to understand the basic knowledge of a tribal community’s history, culture, and current lifestyle. During this presentation, the presenter will lead the group in some best practice strategies to improve relationship-building between educational entities and tribes.