ESEA TITLE VI, PART A, SUBPART 2: Indian Education – Special Programs and Projects

Funding

$68M, awarded competitively

Eligibility

SEAs, LEAs, Indian Tribes and organizations, federally supported elementary or secondary schools for Indian students, and Indian institutions (including Indian institutions of higher education), or a consortium of such institutions. For training: institutions of higher education (IHEs); or SEAs, LEAs, Indian Tribes and organizations, and BIE-funded schools, in consortium with IHEs.

Sample Use of Funds

SEAs and LEAs have flexibility to carry out a wide variety of activities consistent with their specific needs. Activities could include:

• Partnership projects between LEAs and institutions of higher education that allow secondary school students to enroll in courses at the postsecondary level to aid such students in the transition from secondary to postsecondary education;
• Educational services that are not available to Indian children and youth in sufficient quantity or quality, including remedial instruction, to raise the achievement of Indian children in one or more of the subjects of English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, art, history, and geography; early childhood education programs that are effective in preparing young children to make sufficient academic growth by the end of grade 3, including kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs, family-based preschool programs that emphasize school readiness, screening and referral;
• Special health and nutrition services, and other related activities, that address the special health, social, and psychological problems of Indian children and youth;
• High-quality professional development of teaching professionals and paraprofessionals; continuing education programs, symposia, workshops, and conferences;
• Direct financial support; and programs designed to train traditional leaders and cultural experts to assist specialized instructional support personnel, as appropriate, with relevant Native language and cultural mentoring, guidance, and support;
• Bilingual and bicultural programs and projects.

This grant has an extensive list of uses of funds. View the complete ESSA Federal Funding Guide below for the full list.

Key Provision: Recruitment of Native American Educators

One component of the Professional Development program supports training for qualified Indian individuals to become teachers, administrators, teacher aides, social workers, and ancillary educational personnel; and improve the skills of Indian individuals serving in these capacities.

For more information, contact Tom Zembar at 202.822.7109 or [email protected]

Next Steps

You have a right to know if your state or district applied for the funds and influence how they are spent. Most grants have already been disbursed to your state and district, but others may require an application.

Once you find a grant, make sure it’s appropriate for your intended use. Then, contact your local NEA Affiliate to organize an effort to hold your district and state accountable for how the money is used.