A national overview and state-by-state breakdown of education options, relevant laws, and family resources will help Native families find the right fit for their children
MIAMI, FL – For the first time, a guide that examines every type of available school, and the state education options and resources available to families, has been gathered together in one place via a partnership between National School Choice Week and the National Indian Education Association.
Using a broad definition of school choice that includes traditional public schools; Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) funded and operated schools; BIE funded, tribally-controlled schools; public charter schools; public magnet schools; private schools; online learning; and homeschooling, the guide will equip Native families with considerations, next-steps, and information they can use to choose the right learning environments for their children.
In the United States, there are nearly one million Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students enrolled in K-12 U.S. educational programs. Native families face outsized barriers and impositions in education. The challenges, decisions, and opportunities in education for Native people are often complex.
The resource is completely free, families will be able to find:
- Explanations of the educational context for Natives.
- Unique considerations for Native parents and guardians.
- An overview of types of schools available to Native students
- State-by-state information on programs, policies, and Native-focused learning environments
“It’s been a pleasure to collaborate with the National Indian Education Association on this important project to ensure Native families have all the information needed to find the right educational fit for their children. As school choice continues to expand around the country, it’s our responsibility to close information gaps and make choosing every type of school easier on families,” said Shelby Doyle, vice president of public awareness at the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. “Without easy-to-find, easy-to-parse information families may not know, or be able to exercise their school choice options.”
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The National School Choice Awareness Foundation (NSCAF) raises broad and positive awareness of school choice through two charitable programs: organizing National School Choice Week each January and the research, development, and promotion of comprehensive and unbiased school navigation resources for parents via School Choice Week and Conoce tus Opciones Escolares. NSCAF does not advocate for or oppose legislation at any level of government, and is steadfastly nonpartisan and nonpolitical.
