ESEA TITLE VI, PART C: Alaska Native Education

Funding

$35.5M, awarded competitively

Eligibility

Alaska Native organizations and entities located in Alaska with experience operating Alaska Native programs that have been granted a charter from an Alaska Native tribe or Alaska Native organization; or Alaska Native organizations without the requisite experience but who are in partnership with an SEA or LEA or an Alaska Native organization that does.

Purpose

Funding may be used to: recognize the role of Alaska Native languages and cultures in the educational success and long-term well-being of Alaska Native students; to integrate Alaska Native cultures and languages into education, develop Alaska Native students’ positive identity, and support local place-based and culture-based curriculum and programming; to authorize the development, management, and expansion of effective supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska Natives; to provide direction and guidance to appropriate Federal, State and local agencies to focus resources, including resources made available under this grant program, on meeting the educational needs of Alaska Natives; and to ensure the maximum participation by Alaska Native educators and leaders in the planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs designed to serve Alaska Native students.

Sample Use of Funds

Activities could include:

• Education programs for at-risk urban Alaska Native students that are designed to improve academic proficiency and graduation rates, use strategies otherwise permissible under this program, and incorporate a strong data collection and continuous evaluation component;
• Support for the development and operational activities of regional vocational schools in rural areas of Alaska to provide students with necessary resources to prepare for skilled employment opportunities;
• Career preparation activities to enable Alaska Native children and adults to prepare for meaningful employment, including programs providing tech-prep, mentoring, training, and apprenticeship activities;
• Programs that will lead to the certification and licensing of Alaska Native teachers, principals, other school leaders, and superintendents;
• Student and teacher exchange programs, cross-cultural immersion programs, and culture camps designed to build mutual respect and understanding among participants;
• Activities designed to enable Alaska Native students served under this program to meet the challenging State academic standards or increase the graduation rates of Alaska Native students, such as comprehensive school or community-based support services, to include services that address family instability and trauma; and improve conditions for learning at home, in the community, and at school; strategies designed to increase the involvement of parents in their children’s education.

This grant has an extensive list of uses of funds. View the complete ESSA Federal Funding Guide below for the full list.

Key Provision: Educator Voice

One of the key purposes of the grant program is to ensure the maximum participation by Alaska Native educators and leaders in the planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs designed to serve Alaska Native students.

For more information, contact Tom Zembar at 202.822.7109 or [email protected]

Next Steps

You have a right to know if your state or district applied for the funds and influence how they are spent. Most grants have already been disbursed to your state and district, but others may require an application.

Once you find a grant, make sure it’s appropriate for your intended use. Then, contact your local NEA Affiliate to organize an effort to hold your district and state accountable for how the money is used.