ESSA Implementation

Tribes and Native communities made significant gains under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Tribal consultation is now required at both the state and local level and State Tribal Education Partnerships (STEP) were strengthened by expanding tribal capacity and eligible activities in various Title programs. ESSA also acknowledged the importance of language and community in the lives of Native students by establishing a grant program to support the use of Native languages as the primary language of instruction. ESSA has provided new and exciting opportunities for tribal communities as we work to establish education systems that meet the needs of Native students.

NIEA has been working closely with our membership to support implementation of these provisions of ESSA. In response to the needs of our community, NIEA has developed resources to assist tribal leaders and Native communities as they advocate on behalf of Native students.

We encourage Native education advocates to utilize these resources to support their advocacy efforts. Finding opportunities to support Native students by creating programs that prepare them to be college, career, and community ready is critical to academic attainment.

For more information on general ESSA implementation throughout the United States, visit the Department of Education’s website by clicking here.