MatanuskaSusitna Borough School District

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Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

• Indian Education
• Program
• (IEA)
• Federal Programs
• Laurine Domke - Director of Federal Programs
• John Weetman - Assistant Director of Federal
  Programs
• 907-746-9276

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What is the Indian Education Act?

• Federal law enacted ---June 23, 1972
• The purpose is to support the efforts of local
  education agencies, Indian tribes and
  organizations, post secondary institutions and
  other entities to meet the unique needs of
  American Indian and Alaska Native students, so
  that such students can meet the same challenging
  State student academic standards as all other
  students are expected to meet.

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Whats New with IEA?

• Title IX(9) is now Title VII(7)
• No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 P.L. 107-110

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Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Districts
History with IEA

• Began in the early 70s with approximately 100
  students
• Current enrollment 1,267 students
• 5 Indian Education tutors
• 1 Cultural Specialist
• 9 middle secondary schools

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Who qualifies for IEA services?

• Alaska Native and American Indian students (K-12)
• To enroll in the IEA program, the
  parents/guardians must sign a 506 form which
  verifies the tribe or band.

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Mat-Su Districts Profile

• All Alaska Native corporations are represented in
  the MSBSD
• Approximately 25 of our students are American
  Indians from the lower 48

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What services does the IEA program provide?

• Tutor advisors work in collaboration with
  classroom teachers to provide academic assistance
  to IEA students with the highest need
  (non-proficient in reading, writing and/or math)
• Newsletters mailed to each family.
• Cultural kits for elementary schools
• available for checkout.

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IEA Parent Committee

• Must include a majority of parents/guardians of
  currently enrolled (K-12) Alaska Native and
  American Indian students, teachers and secondary
  students
• Involved in the development, coordination and
  evaluation of the Indian Education program
• Advisory in nature

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Mat-Su Districts Profile

• Our parent committee consists of 8 members (6
  parents and 2 student representatives)
• Monthly meetings
• Involved in sub committees

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Annual Native Youth Community Festival

• Gathering of the community, IEA Parent Committee
  and staff to celebrate Alaska Native and American
  Indian heritage through drumming, dancing,
  traditional foods, arts and crafts and
  presentations
• Began 13 years ago to celebrate students
  achievements and Native American culture
• Promotes parent involvement through volunteer
  efforts

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IEA Program

• The IEA Program houses the Native Cultural Media
  Center which has cultural kits representative of
  the Alaska Native and American Indian people.
• These kits can be checked out during the school
  year on a first-come, first serve basis due to
  the limited number of kits available.

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Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools

• These standards were developed by Alaska Native
  educators through regional meetings with the
  Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative and support from
  AFN.
• The standards address the special needs in rural
  Alaska, especially those serving Alaska Native
  students but are applicable to all students and
  communities.
• The standards cover 5 areas students, educators,
  curriculum, schools and communities.

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Cultural Standards for Educators

• Culturally- responsive educators incorporate
  local ways of knowing and teaching in their work.
  
• Educators who meet this cultural standard
• Recognize the validity and integrity of the
  traditional knowledge system

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Educators

• Utilize Elders expertise in multiple ways in
  their teaching
• Provide opportunities and time for students to
  learn in settings where local cultural knowledge
  and skills are naturally relevant
• Provide opportunities for students to learn
  through observation and hands-on demonstration of
  cultural knowledge and skills

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Educators

• Adhere to the cultural and intellectual property
  rights that pertain to all aspects of the local
  knowledge they are addressing
• Continually involve themselves in learning about
  the local culture.

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Cultural Standards

• The cultural standards are not intended to
  produce standardization, but rather to encourage
  schools to nurture and build upon the rich and
  varied cultural traditions that continue to be
  practiced throughout Alaska.
• This information can be found through the Alaska
  Native Knowledge Network web site located at
  http//www.ankn.uaf.edu, or call [phone].

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Practical Application of Cultural Standards

• Frank Keim, a 20 year veteran teacher in rural
  Alaska, shared the following from his experience.
• Patience
• Pause time after a question is asked.
• Active listening, meaning verbal feedback to make
  sure youre understanding what student said.
• Visual teaching/learning alternatives

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Frank Keim contd

• 5. Hands-on teaching/learning alternatives.
• 6. Fox Fire (Camai) community- based thematic
  approach.
• 7. Culturally-oriented resources.
• Transitional resources that relate to both
  worlds.
• Incorporation of language of origin where
  possible.
• Light-hearted personalized approach.
• Prior knowledge of students Alaska Native
  cultural backgrounds.

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Review

• Our purpose is to meet the unique needs of
  American Indian and Alaska Native students, so
  that such students can meet the same challenging
  State student academic standards as all other
  students are expected to meet.

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Questions and Comments

• Visit our website
• www.msb.mat-su.k12.ak.us/iea.htm