Submit Your Recommendations on the State-Tribal Education Partnership Pilot to Federal Officialsby March 2: Announcing NIEA Advocacy Capacity-Building Alert Vol.1, No.1

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TAKES NEXT STEP IN DEVELOPING STATE-TRIBAL PARTNERSHIPS PILOT PROGRAM

Send your invite comments and advice on this important initiative by Friday, March 2

The U.S. Department of Education announces that it is soliciting comments from Native educators, Tribal Education Department officials, and others on the next step in the development of the State-Tribal Education Partnership (STEP). The pilot program, a grant competition under which American Indian Tribes and Nations can play stronger roles in choosing and shaping education for their students, is one of the key initiatives for which NIEA is advocating in order to help all of our Native children get high-quality, culturally-based education.

The Department is looking to solicit potential applicants and fund partnerships by the end of September. But it still developing elements of the program in order to make sure that it best-serves our Native students. So it is seeking responses to four questions on requirements, priorities, and selection criteria. And for NIEA members, especially those working in TEDs, this is an important opportunity to improve the quality of applicants selected -- and improve conditions of education for American Indian and Alaska Native children.

The deadline for comments is Friday, March 2, at 5 p.m. The questions can be found at the U.S. Department of Education's Homeroom blog at http://www.ed.gov/blog/2012/02/tribal-education-agency-pilot/, where you can leave your advice and recommendations.

ON THE LIST: OTHER FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING

Advancing excellent education for Native students

U.S. Department of Education's Native Hawaiian Education Grants (Eligible applicants include Native Hawaiian educational organizations; Native Hawaiian community-based organizations; public and private nonprofit organizations, agencies, and institutions with experience in developing or operating Native Hawaiian programs or programs of instruction in the Native Hawaiian language; and consortia of such groups) Applications due April 24.
U.S. Department of Education's Office of Indian Education Professional Development Grant (Eligible applicants include Tribal Colleges and Universities, Indian tribes or organizations in consortium with an institution of higher education; school districts and charter schools designated as local education agencies in consortium with universities): Applications due March 8.
National Science Foundation's Cultural Anthropology Grant (Unrestricted eligibility): Applications due August 16.
National Science Foundation's Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Grant (Unrestricted eligibility): Applications due May 29.
National Science Foundation's Discovery K-12 (Unrestricted eligibility) Applications due December 6.

NOW AVAILABLE: NIEA'S 2012 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND CONGRESSIONAL ACTION LIST

NIEA members are gearing up for stronger advocacy on behalf of our American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. Read more about the 2012 Agenda and access resources that can be used in helping our communities choose excellent, culturally-based education.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH NIEA STAFF

Share your stories. Inform us about research and advocacy. Learn more on how to advance education for our Native students.

E-mail: NIEA@niea.org

Communications: rbiddle@niea.org

On the Web: www.NIEA.org

Staff Contact:

www.NIEA.org/staff

Your Board of Directors: www.NIEA.org/leadership

WATCH

STAY CONNECTED WITH NIEA