2014-04: Support for NIEA Evaluation of White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education

WHEREAS, the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) was established in 1970 for the purpose of advocating, planning, and promoting the unique and special educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; and

WHEREAS, NIEA, as the largest national Indian organization of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian educators, administrators, parents, and students in the United States, provides a forum to discuss and act upon issues affecting the education of Indian and Native people; and

WHEREAS, through its unique relationship with Indian nations and tribes, the federal government has established programs and resources to meet the educational needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, residing on and off their reserved or non-reserved homelands; and

WHEREAS, The White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education leads the President’s Executive Order 13592 signed December 2, 2011 by Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities; and

WHEREAS, The Initiative, located within the Department of Education, seeks to support activities that will strengthen the United States by expanding educational opportunities and improving education outcomes for all American Indian and Alaska Native students; and

WHEREAS, there are nine primary functions contained within the Initiative and one of these functions mandates the coordination of overall implementation of the Executive Order and the development of the federal four-year plans and annual federal agency reporting, as well as hold federal agencies accountable for fulfilling requirements of the Executive Order, submitting plans, and addressing emerging needs of American Indian and Alaska Native academic achievement; and

WHEREAS, now entering its four year anniversary Executive Order 13592 has had the necessary time for full implementation within federal agencies; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a full and complete evaluation measuring the effectiveness of Executive Order 13592 and its implementation, including the acquisition of agency work plans, reports and findings concerning the Initiative;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will coordinate, to the extent possible, with federal agencies to gain information, reports, work plans and outcomes regarding the implementation and impact of Executive order 13592; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the National Indian Education Association will survey stakeholders and members to measure viewpoints, evaluate and document impact of Executive Order 13592; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that NIEA will publish its findings/evaluation in a formal report that will inform Congress, the Administration, American Indian/Alaska Native Stakeholders.