Funding and Resources for American Indian and Alaska Native Education.

Overview & Synopsis

The Federal Government has a responsibility to fulfill treaty promises for Native education. However, spending for Native education has fallen since 1975, while overall educational spending has increased. Reversal of this trend must include a shift in focus from quantitative goals to qualitative goals and support of culturally relevant education. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of Indian Education (OIE) are the major sources of funding for Native education. However, the BIA funding formula fails to consider non-federal funding available to public schools, the effects of remote location and sparse population, and unique transportation requirements in rural areas. In addition, BIA funds are often not available until well into the school year. BIA programs for school operations cover Indian School Equalization Program formula and adjustments; institutionalized handicapped; school board expenses and training; student transportation; solo parent program; technical support; and drug and alcohol education. The BIA also administers the Johnson-O'Malley program of contracts with states; funding for higher education scholarships, postsecondary schools, and tribally controlled community colleges; and tribal operations of tribal colleges and adult education. Funding from the U.S. Department of Education covers the OIE and numerous educational programs open to all eligible students. Private foundations donate less than 1% of their monies to Native education. Native communities have a meager tax base for education funding. The equivalent of a Marshall Plan is needed to support Native self-determination in education, rebuild each Native community's infrastructure, and restructure the entire Native educational delivery system. This paper contains 33 references and lists over 100 treaties with educational provisions. (SV)