Alaska Native tribes can now apply for state-tribal compact school pilot program

Tribes have till Dec. 30 to use for certainly one of 5 spots in a pilot program meant to encourage extra tribal management of native faculties.

It’s a part of a brand new regulation, Senate Invoice 34, which Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed in July. The invoice kicks off a multi-year course of of making state-tribal compact faculties. Compact agreements would enable tribes to develop their very own Okay-12 curriculum, impartial of an present college district.

Joel Isaak, the Alaska Division of Schooling and Early Growth’s tribal liaison, spoke in regards to the regulation on the Elders and Youth Convention in Anchorage on Monday.

“Compacting is a mechanism that’s authorities to authorities,” he mentioned. “It’s a partnership. It’s a instrument for speaking, and it’s actually about recognizing authorities to authorities agreements.”

That course of will begin with a pilot program the place tribes will obtain grants to ascertain new faculties and provide enter on future laws that might make state-tribal faculties extra widespread. Isaak mentioned that makes this course of distinctive.

“Usually, it’s tough to have the ability to get all of the tribes within the state to sit down down, like, ‘How are we going to draft this?,’” he mentioned. “What Senate Invoice 34 does is it supplies a framework for tribes to have the ability to assist draft the legislative report for what must be in a invoice to make compacting a actuality.”

Isaak requested attendees to share how they might measure a college’s success. Isha Twitchell heads the educational coverage committee for the Knik Cultural Constitution College, which opened in Wasilla this yr. She mentioned enthusiasm from each college students and fogeys was invaluable.

“We’re measuring our success proper now by youngsters being glad, eager to be in class, and fogeys giving nothing however constructive suggestions,” Twitchell mentioned.

Attendees additionally mentioned the significance of language preservation at future faculties.

The Alaska Federation of Natives conference may also embrace a panel dialogue on Alaska Native schooling moderated by Isaak. It’s scheduled for Friday at 2:55 p.m.