SEC. 6004.
ALASKA NATIVE EDUCATION
Section Summary
ESSA
SEC. 6004. ALASKA NATIVE EDUCATION.
(a) Findings.--Section 6302 (20 U.S.C. 7542) (as redesignated by
section 6001) is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (7) and
inserting the following:
``(1) It is the policy of the Federal Government to maximize
the leadership of and participation by Alaska Natives in the
planning and the management of Alaska Native education programs
and to support efforts developed by and undertaken within the
Alaska Native community to improve educational opportunity for
all students.
``(2) Many Alaska Native children enter and exit school with
serious educational disadvantages.
``(3) Overcoming the magnitude of the geographic challenges,
historical inequities, and other barriers to successfully
improving educational outcomes for Alaska Native students in
rural, village, and urban settings is challenging. Significant
disparities between academic achievement of Alaska Native
students and non-Native students continue, including lower
graduation rates, increased school dropout rates, and lower
achievement scores on standardized tests.
``(4) The preservation of Alaska Native cultures and
languages and the integration of Alaska Native cultures and
languages into education, positive identity development for
Alaska Native students, and local, place-based, and culture-
based programming are critical to the attainment of educational
success and the long-term well-being of Alaska Native students.
``(5) Improving educational outcomes for Alaska Native
students increases access to employment opportunities.
``(6) The Federal Government should lend support to efforts
developed by and undertaken within the Alaska Native community
to improve educational opportunity for Alaska Native students.
In 1983, pursuant to Public Law 98-63, Alaska ceased
[[Page 129 STAT. 2068]]
to receive educational funding from the Bureau of Indian
Affairs. The Bureau of Indian Education does not operate any
schools in Alaska, nor operate or fund Alaska Native education
programs. The program under this part supports the Federal trust
responsibility of the United States to Alaska Natives.''.
(b) Purposes.--Section 6303 (20 U.S.C. 7543) (as redesignated by
section 6001) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and address'' after
``To recognize'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3);
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (4) as paragraphs
(4) and (5), respectively;
(4) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) To recognize the role of Alaska Native languages and
cultures in the educational success and long-term well-being of
Alaska Native students.
``(3) To integrate Alaska Native cultures and languages into
education, develop Alaska Native students' positive identity,
and support local place-based and culture-based curriculum and
programming.'';
(5) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by paragraph (3), by
striking ``of supplemental educational programs to benefit
Alaska Natives.'' and inserting ``, management, and expansion of
effective supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska
Natives.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) To ensure the maximum participation by Alaska Native
educators and leaders in the planning, development,
implementation, management, and evaluation of programs designed
to serve Alaska Native students.''.
(c) Program Authorized.--Section 6304 (20 U.S.C. 7544) (as
redesignated by section 6001) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 6304. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
``(a) General Authority.--
``(1) Grants and contracts.--The Secretary is authorized to
make grants to, or enter into contracts with--
``(A) Alaska Native organizations with experience
operating programs that fulfill the purposes of this
part;
``(B) Alaska Native organizations that do not have
the experience described in subparagraph (A) but are in
partnership with--
``(i) a State educational agency or a local
educational agency; or
``(ii) an Alaska Native organization that
operates a program that fulfills the purposes of
this part;
``(C) an entity located in Alaska, and predominately
governed by Alaska Natives, that does not meet the
definition of an Alaska Native organization under this
part but--
``(i) has experience operating programs that
fulfill the purposes of this part; and
``(ii) is granted an official charter or
sanction, as described in the definition of a
tribal organization under section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act
(25 U.S.C. 450b), from at least one Alaska Native
tribe or Alaska Native
[[Page 129 STAT. 2069]]
organization to carry out programs that meet the
purposes of this part.
``(2) Mandatory activities.--Activities provided through the
programs carried out under this part shall include the
following:
``(A) The development and implementation of plans,
methods, strategies, and activities to improve the
educational outcomes of Alaska Natives.
``(B) The collection of data to assist in the
evaluation of the programs carried out under this part.
``(3) Permissible activities.--Activities provided through
programs carried out under this part may include the following:
``(A) The development of curricula and programs that
address the educational needs of Alaska Native students,
including the following:
``(i) Curriculum materials that are culturally
informed and reflect the cultural diversity,
languages, history, or the contributions of Alaska
Native people, including curricula intended to
preserve and promote Alaska Native culture.
``(ii) Instructional programs that make use of
Alaska Native languages and cultures.
``(iii) Networks that develop, test, and
disseminate best practices and introduce
successful programs, materials, and techniques to
meet the educational needs of Alaska Native
students in urban and rural schools.
``(B) Training and professional development
activities for educators, including the following:
``(i) Pre-service and in-service training and
professional development programs to prepare
teachers to develop appreciation for, and
understanding of, Alaska Native history, cultures,
values, and ways of knowing and learning in order
to effectively address the cultural diversity and
unique needs of Alaska Native students and improve
the teaching methods of educators.
``(ii) Recruitment and preparation of Alaska
Native teachers.
``(iii) Programs that will lead to the
certification and licensing of Alaska Native
teachers, principals, other school leaders, and
superintendents.
``(C) Early childhood and parenting education
activities designed to improve the school readiness of
Alaska Native children, including--
``(i) the development and operation of home
visiting programs for Alaska Native preschool
children, to ensure the active involvement of
parents in their children's education from the
earliest ages;
``(ii) training, education, and support,
including in-home visitation, for parents and
caregivers of Alaska Native children to improve
parenting and caregiving skills (including skills
relating to discipline and cognitive development,
reading readiness, observation, storytelling, and
critical thinking);
``(iii) family literacy services;
``(iv) activities carried out under the Head
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.);
[[Page 129 STAT. 2070]]
``(v) programs for parents and their infants,
from the prenatal period of the infant through age
3;
``(vi) early childhood education programs; and
``(vii) native language immersion within early
childhood education programs, Head Start, or
preschool programs.
``(D) The development and operation of student
enrichment programs, including programs in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics that--
``(i) are designed to prepare Alaska Native
students to excel in such subjects;
``(ii) provide appropriate support services to
enable such students to benefit from the programs;
and
``(iii) include activities that recognize and
support the unique cultural and educational needs
of Alaska Native children and incorporate
appropriately qualified Alaska Native elders and
other tradition bearers.
``(E) Research and data collection activities to
determine the educational status and needs of Alaska
Native children and adults and other such research and
evaluation activities related to programs funded under
this part.
``(F) Activities designed to enable Alaska Native
students served under this part to meet the challenging
State academic standards or increase the graduation
rates of Alaska Native students, such as--
``(i) remedial and enrichment programs;
``(ii) culturally based education programs,
such as--
``(I) programs of study and other
instruction in Alaska Native history and
ways of living to share the rich and
diverse cultures of Alaska Natives among
Alaska Native youth and elders, non-
Native students and teachers, and the
larger community;
``(II) instructing Alaska Native
youth in leadership, communication, and
Alaska Native culture, arts, history,
and languages;
``(III) intergenerational learning
and internship opportunities to Alaska
Native youth and young adults;
``(IV) providing cultural immersion
activities aimed at Alaska Native
cultural preservation;
``(V) native language instruction
and immersion activities, including
native language immersion nests or
schools;
``(VI) school-within-a-school model
programs; and
``(VII) preparation for
postsecondary education and career
planning; and
``(iii) comprehensive school or community-
based support services, including services that--
``(I) address family instability and
trauma; and
``(II) improve conditions for
learning at home, in the community, and
at school.
``(G) Student and teacher exchange programs, cross-
cultural immersion programs, and culture camps designed
[[Page 129 STAT. 2071]]
to build mutual respect and understanding among
participants.
``(H) Education programs for at-risk urban Alaska
Native students that are designed to improve academic
proficiency and graduation rates, use strategies
otherwise permissible under this part, and incorporate a
strong data collection and continuous evaluation
component.
``(I) Strategies designed to increase the
involvement of parents in their children's education.
``(J) Programs and strategies that increase
connections between and among schools, families, and
communities, including positive youth-adult
relationships, to--
``(i) promote the academic progress and
positive development of Alaska Native children and
youth; and
``(ii) improve conditions for learning at
home, in the community, and at school.
``(K) Career preparation activities to enable Alaska
Native children and adults to prepare for meaningful
employment, including programs providing tech-prep,
mentoring, training, and apprenticeship activities.
``(L) Support for the development and operational
activities of regional vocational schools in rural areas
of Alaska to provide students with necessary resources
to prepare for skilled employment opportunities.
``(M) Regional leadership academies that demonstrate
effectiveness in building respect and understanding, and
fostering a sense of Alaska Native identity in Alaska
Native students to promote their pursuit of and success
in completing higher education or career training.
``(N) Other activities, consistent with the purposes
of this part, to meet the educational needs of Alaska
Native children and adults.
``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $31,453,000 for each of fiscal
years 2017 through 2020.''.
(d) Administrative Provisions.--Section 6305 (20 U.S.C. 7545) (as
redesignated by section 6001) is amended to read as follows:
``SEC. 6305. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
``Not more than 5 percent of funds provided to an award recipient
under this part for any fiscal year may be used for administrative
purposes.''.
(e) Definitions.--Section 6306 (20 U.S.C. 7546) (as redesignated by
section 6001) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``(43 U.S.C. 1602(b)) and
includes the descendants of individuals so defined'' after
``Settlement Act'';
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) Alaska native organization.--The term `Alaska Native
organization' means an organization that has or commits to
acquire expertise in the education of Alaska Natives and is--
``(A) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 4 of
the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance
Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), that is an Indian tribe located in
Alaska;
[[Page 129 STAT. 2072]]
``(B) a `tribal organization', as defined in section
4 of such Act (25 U.S.C. 450b), that is a tribal
organization located in Alaska; or
``(C) an organization listed in clauses (i) through
(xii) of section 419(4)(B) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 619(4)(B)(i) through (xii)), or the successor
of an entity so listed.''.
NCLB Text
``SEC. 7302. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7542.>> FINDINGS.
``Congress finds and declares the following:
[[Page 115 STAT. 1943]]
``(1) The attainment of educational success is critical to
the betterment of the conditions, long-term well-being, and
preservation of the culture of Alaska Natives.
``(2) It is the policy of the Federal Government to
encourage the maximum participation by Alaska Natives in the
planning and the management of Alaska Native education programs.
``(3) Alaska Native children enter and exit school with
serious educational handicaps.
``(4) The educational achievement of Alaska Native children
is far below national norms. Native performance on standardized
tests is low, Native student dropout rates are high, and Natives
are significantly underrepresented among holders of
baccalaureate degrees in the State of Alaska. As a result,
Native students are being denied their opportunity to become
full participants in society by grade school and high school
educations that are condemning an entire generation to an
underclass status and a life of limited choices.
``(5) The programs authorized in this part, combined with
expanded Head Start, infant learning, and early childhood
education programs, and parent education programs, are essential
if educational handicaps are to be overcome.
``(6) The sheer magnitude of the geographic barriers to be
overcome in delivering educational services in rural Alaska and
Alaska villages should be addressed through the development and
implementation of innovative, model programs in a variety of
areas.
``(7) Native children should be afforded the opportunity to
begin their formal education on a par with their non-Native
peers. The Federal Government should lend support to efforts
developed by and undertaken within the Alaska Native community
to improve educational opportunity for all students.
``SEC. 7303. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7543.>> PURPOSES.
``The purposes of this part are as follows:
``(1) To recognize the unique educational needs of Alaska
Natives.
``(2) To authorize the development of supplemental
educational programs to benefit Alaska Natives.
``(3) To supplement existing programs and authorities in the
area of education to further the purposes of this part.
``(4) To provide direction and guidance to appropriate
Federal, State and local agencies to focus resources, including
resources made available under this part, on meeting the
educational needs of Alaska Natives.
``SEC. 7304. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7544.>> PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
``(a) General Authority.--
``(1) Grants and contracts.--The Secretary is authorized to
make grants to, or enter into contracts with, Alaska Native
organizations, educational entities with experience in
developing or operating Alaska Native programs or programs of
instruction conducted in Alaska Native languages, cultural and
community-based organizations with experience in developing or
operating programs to benefit Alaska Natives, and consortia of
organizations and entities described in this paragraph to carry
out programs that meet the purposes of this part.
``(2) Permissible activities.--Activities provided through
programs carried out under this part may include the following:
[[Page 115 STAT. 1944]]
``(A) The development and implementation of plans,
methods, and strategies to improve the education of
Alaska Natives.
``(B) The development of curricula and educational
programs that address the educational needs of Alaska
Native students, including the following:
``(i) Curriculum materials that reflect the
cultural diversity or the contributions of Alaska
Natives.
``(ii) Instructional programs that make use of
Native Alaskan languages.
``(iii) Networks that introduce successful
programs, materials, and techniques to urban and
rural schools.
``(C) Professional development activities for
educators, including the following:
``(i) Programs to prepare teachers to address
the cultural diversity and unique needs of Alaska
Native students.
``(ii) In-service programs to improve the
ability of teachers to meet the unique needs of
Alaska Native students.
``(iii) Recruitment and preparation of
teachers who are Alaska Native, reside in
communities with high concentrations of Alaska
Native students, or are likely to succeed as
teachers in isolated, rural communities and engage
in cross-cultural instruction in Alaska.
``(D) The development and operation of home
instruction programs for Alaska Native preschool
children, to ensure the active involvement of parents in
their children's education from the earliest ages.
``(E) Family literacy services.
``(F) The development and operation of student
enrichment programs in science and mathematics that--
``(i) are designed to prepare Alaska Native
students from rural areas, who are preparing to
enter secondary school, to excel in science and
math;
``(ii) provide appropriate support services to
the families of such students that are needed to
enable such students to benefit from the programs;
and
``(iii) may include activities that recognize
and support the unique cultural and educational
needs of Alaska Native children, and incorporate
appropriately qualified Alaska Native elders and
seniors.
``(G) Research and data collection activities to
determine the educational status and needs of Alaska
Native children and adults.
``(H) Other research and evaluation activities
related to programs carried out under this part.
``(I) Remedial and enrichment programs to assist
Alaska Native students in performing at a high level on
standardized tests.
``(J) Education and training of Alaska Native
students enrolled in a degree program that will lead to
certification or licensing as teachers.
``(K) Parenting education for parents and caregivers
of Alaska Native children to improve parenting and
caregiving skills (including skills relating to
discipline and
[[Page 115 STAT. 1945]]
cognitive development), including parenting education
provided through in-home visitation of new mothers.
``(L) Cultural education programs operated by the
Alaska Native Heritage Center and designed to share the
Alaska Native culture with students.
``(M) A cultural exchange program operated by the
Alaska Humanities Forum and designed to share Alaska
Native culture with urban students in a rural setting,
which shall be known as the Rose Cultural Exchange
Program.
``(N) Activities carried out through Even Start
programs carried out under subpart 3 of part B of title
I and Head Start programs carried out under the Head
Start Act, including the training of teachers for
programs described in this subparagraph.
``(O) Other early learning and preschool programs.
``(P) Dropout prevention programs such as the Cook
Inlet Tribal Council's Partners for Success program.
``(Q) An Alaska Initiative for Community Engagement
program.
``(R) Career preparation activities to enable Alaska
Native children and adults to prepare for meaningful
employment, including programs providing tech-prep,
mentoring, training, and apprenticeship activities.
``(S) Provision of operational support and
purchasing of equipment, to develop regional vocational
schools in rural areas of Alaska, including boarding
schools, for Alaska Native students in grades 9 through
12, or at higher levels of education, to provide the
students with necessary resources to prepare for skilled
employment opportunities.
``(T) Other activities, consistent with the purposes
of this part, to meet the educational needs of Alaska
Native children and adults.
``(3) Home instruction programs.--Home instruction programs
for Alaska Native preschool children carried out under paragraph
(2)(D) may include the following:
``(A) Programs for parents and their infants, from
the prenatal period of the infant through age 3.
``(B) Preschool programs.
``(C) Training, education, and support for parents
in such areas as reading readiness, observation, story
telling, and critical thinking.
``(b) Limitation on Administrative Costs.--Not more than 5 percent
of funds provided to a grantee under this section for any fiscal year
may be used for administrative purposes.
``(c) Priorities.--In awarding grants or contracts to carry out
activities described in subsection (a)(2), except for activities listed
in subsection (d)(2), the Secretary shall give priority to applications
from Alaska Native regional nonprofit organizations, or consortia that
include at least one Alaska Native regional nonprofit organization.
``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for
fiscal year 2002 and each of the 5 succeeding fiscal years.
[[Page 115 STAT. 1946]]
``(2) Availability of funds.--Of the funds appropriated and
made available under this section for a fiscal year, the
Secretary shall make available--
``(A) not less than $1,000,000 to support activities
described in subsection (a)(2)(K);
``(B) not less than $1,000,000 to support activities
described in subsection (a)(2)(L);
``(C) not less than $1,000,000 to support activities
described in subsection (a)(2)(M);
``(D) not less than $2,000,000 to support activities
described in subsection (a)(2)(P); and
``(E) not less than $2,000,000 to support activities
described in subsection (a)(2)(Q).
``SEC. 7305. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7545.>> ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.
``(a) Application Required.--No grant may be made under this part,
and no contract may be entered into under this part, unless the entity
seeking the grant or contract submits an application to the Secretary in
such form, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may determine necessary to carry out the provisions of this
part.
``(b) Applications.--A State educational agency or local educational
agency may apply for an award under this part only as part of a
consortium involving an Alaska Native organization. The consortium may
include other eligible applicants.
``(c) Consultation Required.--Each applicant for an award under this
part shall provide for ongoing advice from and consultation with
representatives of the Alaska Native community.
``(d) Local Educational Agency Coordination.--Each applicant for an
award under this part shall inform each local educational agency serving
students who would participate in the program to be carried out under
the grant or contract about the application.
``SEC. 7306. <<NOTE: 20 USC 7546.>> DEFINITIONS.
``In this part:
``(1) Alaska native.--The term `Alaska Native' has the same
meaning as the term `Native' has in section 3(b) of the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act.
``(2) Alaska native organization.--The term `Alaska Native
organization' means a federally recognized tribe, consortium of
tribes, regional nonprofit Native association, and another
organization that--
``(A) has or commits to acquire expertise in the
education of Alaska Natives; and
``(B) has Alaska Natives in substantive and
policymaking positions within the organization.''.
