Good afternoon, everyone!

I am sending this request to those who are very familiar with Title VII Parts A and C, including relevant DEED staff, Alaska superintendents, Alaska education associations, those Title VII grant administrators of which I am aware, AFN, First Alaskans, Alaska Native Knowledge Network, Native education leaders, University of Alaska, Ilisagvik, and ANEP directed grantees. If I have missed anyone, it was inadvertent; please feel free to share this e-mail with those I have missed.

As you know, we hope that the Senate HELP Committee will begin work on reauthorizing ESEA at some point this Congress. To that end, I wanted to reach out again to ask about any recommendations you may have for changes to Title VII, Part A (Indian Education) and/or Part C (Alaska Native Education Equity)—either as part of a group or as individuals. Recommendations that represent a consensus of thought are strongly preferred, but Senator Murkowski will be interested in all contributions to the discussion. If possible, it would be most helpful if any recommended changes are specific to language in current law rather than general statements. For example, it would be more helpful to receive a recommendation that the requirements for membership on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, as defined in Section 7141(a) should be amended to include a requirement for an Alaska Native member, rather than a recommendation that generally asks for more involvement by Alaska Natives on Indian Education issues at the Department of Education.

I know that some discussions have been held, on and off, around Alaska since 2007. I wonder if it would be reasonable to ask that you provide your input by April 6th (two weeks from today). If not, please advise.

I have included links and other information below to help you review current law, generally understand the individual parts of Title VII, and to guide your discussions. I hope this information is useful.

Thanks so much for your valuable input as we seek to improve ESEA programs and how they work to improve educational opportunities for Alaska Native students.
Karen


Current law and descriptive information for each of the sections of Title VII can be found as follows (though please note that the Department has not updated some of the information in the descriptive links).

Part A:

• Subpart 1 — Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg99.html
• Summary description and other information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/indianformula/index.html
• Eligibility: school districts or, if school district does not apply, Indian tribe.
• Grant funds supplement the regular school program. Projects help Indian children sharpen their academic skills, assisting students in becoming proficient in the core content areas, and provide students an opportunity to participate in enrichment programs that would otherwise be unavailable. Funds support such activities as after-school programs, early childhood education, tutoring, and dropout prevention.
• FY10 Funding: $104,331,000 (Funded under Indian Education).
  

• Subpart 2 — Special Programs and Projects To Improve Educational Opportunities for Indian Children: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg100.html
• Summary description and other information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/indianprofdev/index.html
• Eligibility: colleges/universities, state departments of education or school districts in consortium with colleges/universities, and Indian tribes or organizations in consortium with colleges/universities;
• The program is designed to prepare and train Indians to serve as teachers and school administrators. Individuals trained under this program must perform work related to their training and that benefits Indian people or repay the assistance received.
• FY10 Funding: $19,060,000 (Funded under Indian Education).
  

• Subpart 3 — National Activities: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg101.html
• Summary description and other information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/indianednatact/index.html
• The Department uses these funds, primarily through contracts, to support research, evaluation, and data collection on the status and effectiveness of Indian education programs, and for other activities to improve programs that serve American Indians and Alaska Natives, age preschool through adult.
• FY10 Funding: $3,891,000 (Funded under Indian Education).
  

• Subpart 4 — Federal Administration: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg102.html
• Includes the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, requires peer review of applications submitted under subparts 2 and 3, provides that the Secretary shall give a preference to Indian tribes, organizations, and institutions of higher education under any program with respect to which Indian tribes, organizations, and institutions are eligible to apply for grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, and requires the Secretary to ensure that grant awards are of sufficient size and have sufficient research base to achieve the purpose of the grant.
  

• Subpart 5 — Definitions; Authorizations of Appropriations: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg103.html

Part C — Alaska Native Education: http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg105.html

• Summary description and other information: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/alaskanative/index.html
• Eligibility: Alaska Native organizations, education 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 may apply. A state education agency (SEA) or school district may apply as part of a consortium involving an Alaska Native organization. The consortium may include other eligible applicants.
• The purpose is to meet the unique education needs of Alaska Natives and to support supplemental education programs to benefit Alaska Natives.
• Grants are provided in two ways: 1) Directed grants to named recipients for specific purposes; and 2) competitive grants for allowable purposes.
• FY10 Funding: $33,315,000 (Funded under School Improvement Programs).
  

Karen McCarthy
Legislative Assistant
Senator Lisa Murkowski
709 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
202-224-6665
karen_mccarthy@murkowski.senate.gov
http://murkowski.senate.gov