Native American
achievement gap study marks milestone in Tribal History Project
Posted February 3, 2009
Progress is being made, but more remains to be done in promoting government-to-government relations between school boards and Tribal nations as envisioned under a state law that encourages such cooperation for the development of curricula on Tribal history and culture.
That was the message delivered to state lawmakers last month by WSSDA Executive Director Martharose Laffey, who testified during the presentation of a landmark Native American achievement gap study to the House Education Committee.
The study, guided by WSSDA, includes the association’s first report to the Legislature on activities WSSDA has undertaken under House Bill 1495, a law approved in 2005 to encourage school districts and neighboring Tribal nations to work together to develop localized curricula on Tribal history, culture and government — and to focus on ways to narrow the achievement gap among Native American students.
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From TVW: Comments from WSSDA Executive Director Martharose
Laffey to the House Education Committee
(1/19/09 - 5 min.)
Laffey cited a number of accomplishments and activities that have taken place under HB 1495, including the completion of the achievement gap study itself. She emphasized that "our efforts to assist districts in closing the achievement gap for Native American students are consistent with WSSDA’s mission, which is to support school directors’ efforts to improve student learning."
She also noted the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between WSSDA, the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education, OSPI and the State Board of Education. She said WSSDA continues to be active in developing relations with tribal organizations and agencies, participating in events such as the Regional Cultural Education Exchange with the Tribal Leaders Congress, the Tulalip Tribe and the Washington Education Association. These efforts are often led by WSSDA Vice President Deborah Heart (Goldendale), who serves as the WSSDA Board Liaison for the Tribal History Project.
WSSDA conducted a survey of school districts regarding existing relations with neighboring Tribal councils, and is now finalizing a toolkit that school boards can use to initiate and nurture government-to-government relationships. Laffey said the association has conducted a number of workshops and presentations for school directors regarding HB 1495, and will continue to do so.
"From Where the Sun Rises – Addressing the Educational Achievement of Native Americans in Washington State" includes WSSDA’s progress update on HB 1495. It is available at
www.goia.wa.gov.
Achievement gap studies were recently
completed for five student groups — African American, Asian, Latino,
Native American and Pacific Islander. All five reports are posted on
the OSPI Web site at
http://www.k12.wa.us/cisl/
