New Mexico Public Education Department: Indian Education Act Funding

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) aims to improve academic and cultural achievement opportunities in alignment with the requirements of the Indian Education Act (IEA). The purpose of the IEA is to:

• A. Ensure equitable and culturally relevant learning environments, educational opportunities, and culturally relevant instructional materials for American Indian students enrolled in public schools
• B. Ensure maintenance of Native languages
• C. Provide for the study, development, and implementation of educational systems that positively affect the educational success of American Indian students
• D. Ensure that the department of education partners with tribes to increase tribal involvement and control over schools and the education of students located in tribal communities
• E. Encourage cooperation among the educational leadership of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and the Navajo Nation to address the unique issues of educating students in Navajo communities that arise due to the location of the Navajo Nation in those states
• F. Provide the means for a formal government-to-government relationship between the state and New Mexico tribes and the development of relationships with the education division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other entities that serve American Indian students
• G. Provide the means for a relationship between the state and urban American Indian community members to participate in initiatives and educational decisions related to American Indian students residing in urban areas
• H. Ensure that parents; tribal departments of education; community-based organizations; the Department of Education; universities; and tribal, state, and local policymakers work together to find ways to improve educational opportunities for American Indian students
• I. Ensure that tribes are notified of all curricula development for their approval and support
• J. Encourage an agreement regarding the alignment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and state assessment programs so that comparable information is provided to parents and tribes
• K. Encourage and foster parental involvement in the education of Indian students

Applications must demonstrate alignment with the IEA, the following are NMPED priority areas that may be used as alignment to the proposed programs:

• College, Career, and Life Readiness: K-12 public education prepares students to have the necessary knowledge and skills to participate in a rapidly-changing, democratic society by successfully transitioning to a post-secondary institution (without needing remedial coursework) and/or entering the workforce and competing in the labor market and aligning interests to the career of the student’s choice and living fulfilling lives.
• Culturally and Linguistically Relevant Education and Social and Emotional Learning: Social and emotional learning provides the foundation for students to develop social skills (empathy, reflection, cooperation, interpersonal skills, communication), academic behaviors (attendance, academic purpose, self-guided learning, participation), and an academic mindset (belonging, belief in one self, and value in work, meaningful learning). These are critical success factors to improving academic and life outcomes.
• Culture and Identity Development: Programs that provide opportunities for students to participate in activities that reflect their unique cultural and linguistic heritages, and that are centered on student strengths and needs, and incorporate student voice into the design of curriculum. Programs must be grounded in the context of the student’s community, language, and culture.
• Increasing Access to Native American Language Programs: Programs that provide Indigenous Language programs within the community or school that are accessible to students on a regular basis and grounded in the context of the community and approved by the tribe in which the program represents. Indigenous language programs should set goals for students that are aligned with the LEA, charter, and Tribes overall Indigenous Language Program goals.

Amount: Awards will be made within the following ranges:

• $75,000-$100,000 for New Mexico Tribal and Pueblo Departments of Education
• $50,000-$90,000 for LEAs and charters that enroll a significant number of Native American students, as previously determined by the NMPED

Applicants may propose a project period between one and four years. The above amounts reflect annual funding.

Eligibility: One of the 23 New Mexico public school districts or seven state-chartered or school district-chartered schools identified as Native-serving institutions and/or any New Mexico tribe, nation, or pueblo. Individual school projects, teacher-led projects, community-led projects, parent-led, or student-led projects may be considered if submitted through an LEA or district-chartered school, with only one application permitted per LEA or district-chartered school.

See the solicitation for a listing of eligible schools and districts.

Link: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/information/rfps-rfis-rfas/

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