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Developing a New Research Agenda for American Indian
and Alaska Native Education

A PROCESS MANDATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 13096

What Is Executive Order 13096, American Indian and Alaska Native Education?

In August 1998, President Clinton signed Executive Order 13096, American Indian and Alaska Native Education, which stipulates that the federal government is committed to improving the academic performance and reducing the dropout rate of American Indian and Alaska Native students attending public schools and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. The Executive Order set forth six policy goals.

These include:

1. Improve reading and mathematics;
2. Increase high school completion and postsecondary attendance rates;
3. Reduce the influence of long-standing factors such as poverty and substance abuse that impede educational performance;
4. Create strong, safe, and drug-free school environments;
5. Improve science education; and
6. Expand the use of educational technology.

What Are The Goals For The New Research Agenda?

The Executive Order also includes a requirement to develop a research agenda to improve "the educational achievement and academic progress for American Indian and Alaska Native students." This research agenda has three primary goals and will provide an opportunity to investigate several related topics.

Primary Goals

1. Establish baseline data on academic achievement and retention of American Indian and Alaska Native students in order to monitor improvement.
2. Evaluate promising practices used with those students.
3. Evaluate the role of native language and culture in the development of educational strategies.
   

Related Topics

• Early childhood education for American Indian and Alaska Native children.
• Identification and education of American Indian and Alaska Native children with disabilities.
• Outcomes of technology instruction for skills and workplace readiness.
• Postsecondary education for American Indian and Alaska Native students, including social and civic participation and employment.
• Definition and identification of American Indians and Alaska Natives for research and services.
• The role of school in native communities.
• Student achievement and school reform, including the effects of state standards and assessments.

Who Is Already Involved?

The US Secretary of Education, through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement and the Office of Indian Education, is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Office of Indian Education Programs, the National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board, and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. In addition, representatives from the National Indian Education Association, National Congress of American Indians, and Native American Rights Fund are advising the development of the research agenda.

The US Department of Education has retained a contractor, Westat, to assist in the development of the research agenda.

What Activities Are Under Way?

• A series of regional forums sponsored by the Task Force for Executive Order 13096 to solicit input from educational policymakers, practitioners, researchers, tribal leaders, and other leaders.
• A review of relevant literature related to Native American education.
• A review of existing federal databases to assess new or expanded data collection needs.
• Meetings and focus groups with representatives of national American Indian and Alaska Native organizations.
• Development of a Web site with links to national American Indian and Alaska Native organizations.
• A research conference was held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in May 2000 to present and discuss initial perspectives on the research agenda. Papers presented will be available on our Web site.

What Other Activities Are Planned?

• Compilation of a preliminary list of research questions.
• Focus groups in Indian Country to refine research questions and priorities.
• Presentations to national meetings of researchers and educators to seek responses to the draft research agenda.
• Preparation of final research agenda in winter 2001.

How Can I Get Involved?

We want to learn from your experiences, knowledge, and insights. Your voice can be heard through—Submitting comments using the form attached to this brochure or other paper to:

Cecilia Avison
Westat—Room RA1219
1650 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850-3195
Fax: 301-294-4475
Let Us Know Your Comments And Opinions!

We are seeking comments from all interested persons as we develop the research agenda. Submit comments on this form or other paper by November 15, 2000 to:

Cecilia Avison
Westat—Room RA1219
1650 Research Boulevard
Rockville, MD 20850-3195
Fax: 301-294-4475

In the context of the topics listed in this brochure, we are eager to hear recommendations about areas for research, specific research questions, sources of information, or specific educational practices. We are seeking comments from all interested persons as we develop the research agenda. We invite you to share your experiences, knowledge, and insights.

Contact Information
Bill Strang
Project Director
Westat
1650 Research Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-738-3692
Fax: 301-294-4475
E-mail: strangb1@westat.com

Adrienne von Glatz
Westat
1650 Research Blvd.
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 301-738-3646
Fax: 301-294-4475
E-mail: vonglaa1@westat.com

Karen Suagee
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
U.S. Department of Education
Capitol Place, Room 610B
555 New Jersey Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20208
Phone: 202-219-2244
Fax 202 219 2030
E-mail: karen_suagee@ed.gov

Lorraine Edmo
Office of Indian Education
U.S. Department of Education
FOB-6, Room 3W1 13
400 Maryland Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20202
Phone: 202-401-1200
Fax: 202-260-7779
E-mail: lorraine_edmo@ed.gov

AR 2000-7501
The Task Force for Executive Order 13096 is co-chaired by: Kevin Grover, Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs; and Michael Cohen, Assistant Secretary, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education.