By C. Brandon Chapman, College of Education
PULLMAN, Wash. – The Washington State University College of Education has received a four-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Indian Education (OIE), one of about 20 Indian Professional Development Awards funded by the agency this year.
The $400,000 grant will support recruitment of Native teachers and education administrators, as well as training for those in professions that serve American Indians. It will improve the skills of Natives who already serve in educational capacities, and they will then participate in programs focused on Indian education, research and practices.
WSU College of Education project director renee holt (Diné/Nez Perce – https://native.wsu.edu/news/june2016/renee.html) will visit local tribal nation reservations in an effort to pro¬vide outreach and share information about the Ti’tooqan Cuukweneewit project, which will be managed by WSU’s Clearinghouse on Native Teaching and Learning.
The clearinghouse will focus on the recruitment, retention and successful graduation and induction of Native teacher educators and administrators. They will receive mentoring, financial support and the opportunity to attend seminars and summer institutes on culturally responsive curriculum and teaching practices.
This project builds on previous work the College of Education has integrated into local public schools and class¬rooms located on traditional Nez Perce homelands. The new project is based on significant consultation and partnership with local school districts and tribal communities and recognizes that these communities can best:
* Identify key barriers and opportunities for improving educational outcomes that address the need for Native teachers and education administrators.
* Build on relational education initiatives that are implemented through local solutions.
The grant will support a coordinated and focused approach chosen by community partnerships that includes tribal, local schools and service providers and agencies.
News media contact:
renée holt, WSU teaching and learning, 509-335-3478, rcholt@wsu.edu
