NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Policy Manual

TATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON INDIAN EDUCATION

The State Advisory Council on Indian Education is established as an Advisory Council to the State Board of Education. In collaboration with the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs, the General Assembly created the Advisory Council to increase and maximize education opportunities for American Indian students in North Carolina. The Council’s establishment is set forth in North Carolina General Statutes (Section 115C-210). 

I.                 Membership

            The Council shall consist of 15 members, as follows:

1.   Two legislative members (one senator appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and one representative appointed by the Speaker of the House);

2.   Two American Indian members from higher education to be appointed by the Board of Governors of the University system;

3.   One American Indian member from the North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs to be appointed by that Commission;

4.   Eight American Indian parents of students enrolled in public schools and two American Indian educators from public elementary/secondary schools to be appointed by the State Board of Education from a list submitted by the North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs;

5.   Indian members of the Council shall be broadly representative of North Carolina American Indian tribes, organizations and associations, specifically the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee, Haliwa Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony, Waccamaw-Siouan, Cumberland County Association for Indian People, the Guilford Native American Association, the Metrolina Native American Association, Triangle Native American Society and any other Indian tribe gaining State recognition in the future.

 

II.               Term of  office

 

The Legislative members, the higher education members, and the member from the

North Carolina Commission on Indian Affairs shall serve for an unspecified term at the

pleasure of their respective appointing authorities. The terms for public school educators and the Indian parents appointed shall be for a period of two years and no member shall serve for more than two consecutive full terms.

 

The Department of Public Instruction will maintain and provide an annual report addressing the status of Council membership and expiration of terms to the Executive Director of the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs prior to November 30^th.  The N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs will submit, upon request annually, a list of American Indian public school educators and parents for membership consideration. 

 

III.             Organization, meetings, and compensation

 

A.    The Council shall elect a chairperson from its membership.

B.    The Council shall meet in space provided by the Department of Public Instruction in accordance to a meeting schedule determined by the membership. The Council shall meet at least three, but no more than four times each year. The Council may meet for emergency meetings called by the chairperson. The Department of Public Instruction shall provide necessary staff support and supplies to enable the Council to carry out its duties in an effective manner.

C.    Council members shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel allowances, lodging, subsistence and per diem as provided by G.S. 138-5.

 

IV.            Responsibilities of the Council

 

A.    Advise the State Board of Education of effective practices and ways to more effectively meet the educational needs of American Indian students;

B.    Explore and advocate for meaningful programs that raise academic achievement, increase graduation rates and decrease the high dropout rates among American Indian students;

C.    Prepare an annual report on a fiscal year basis on the status of American Indian education. The annual report will be  presented to the State Board of Education and provided to legislative leadership, tribal organizations and associations, and to conferees at the annual statewide Indian Unity Conference;

D.    Work closely with agency leadership in the Department of Public Instruction to improve coordination and communication between and among programs; and,

E.     Advise the State Board of Education on any other aspect of American Indian education when requested by the State Board to do so.

 

SUPPORTING LOCAL DISTRICTS AND INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS

I.                 Indian Education Liaison

An Indian Education Liaison will be designated by the Deputy State Superintendent in consultation with the State Superintendent.  The individual shall have demonstrated knowledge and experience in working with American Indian populations and Indian education programs.  The Indian Education Liaison will serve in a leadership capacity in working with State Board of Education and agency leadership to improve coordination, communication and support to local school districts and Indian education programs; and will serve as the primary contact on issues pertaining to Indian education for schools and districts, American Indian parents, tribes, tribal organizations and associations, federal and state government entities, education partners including the public and private institutions of higher education and community colleges and other stakeholders.    

The Indian Education Liaison will be responsible for managing the work of the State Advisory Council on Indian Education and the comprehensive school and program support efforts of a cross-functional team within the Department of Public Instruction.  The representation of the cross-functional team shall include, at a minimum, representation from Curriculum, Instruction and Technology, Accountability, Comprehensive School Support, Talent Management and Leadership Development, and Communications and Information.

 

II.         Programs for Indian Education

The State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Advisory Council on Indian Education and through the Department of Public Instruction and partnerships with American Indian tribes, tribal organizations and associations, will perform the following to support Indian education programs:

A.    Conduct on an annual basis an in-depth analysis of the performance and proficiency of American Indian students on state assessments, high school graduation rates, dropout rates, and other state performance measures available to the Department of Public Instruction.

B.    Encourage local school districts to better utilize data and information regarding the needs of American Indian students enrolled in the public schools.

C.    Support continued participation of North Carolina in appropriate studies such as the National Indian Education Study (NIES).

D.    Identify ways to increase graduation rates and reduce the persistently high dropout rates for American Indian students.

E.     Make continued effort to expand and strengthen the capacity within the Department of Public Instruction to support local school districts and Indian education programs.

 

 III.      Cultural Sensitivity

The State Board of Education reaffirms its commitment to improving American Indian education and will:

A.    Include, as part of periodic reviews of the Standard Course of Study, textbooks and other curricula resource materials, procedures that ensure the inclusion of information, when appropriate, regarding the history, culture and contributions of American Indians of North Carolina.

B.    Encourage educators to educate themselves on the educational, curricular and psychological effects of using American Indian sport mascots and logos.

C.    Encourage all public school administrators and local boards of education to continue reviews of their policies and procedures toward the use of American Indian sport mascots, logos, symbols and other derogatory imagery in public schools.

 

IV.       American Indian Involvement in Public Education

The State Board of Education will:

A.    Work towards increasing the inclusion and/or representation from the American Indian community on various state and local level boards, committees and commissions and in the work of the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction, particularly in reviewing and/or developing education policy, curriculum and standards.

B.    Facilitate outreach strategies and create partnerships with tribal organizations and associations, public and private institutions of higher education and community colleges, and other state agencies and organizations that provide resources, educational experiences and cultural opportunities for American Indian students.