Schools, agencies serving American Indians to share $105 million - Washington Update - Brief Article

Black Issues in Higher Education, Oct 23, 2003 by Ben Hammer

Indian tribes, schools, and state and local agencies that serve American Indian children in efforts to improve educational opportunities for nearly half-a-million students will share $105 million in grants, announced U.S. Secretary of Education Roderick Paige.

"We renew our commitment to educational excellence and opportunity for American Indian and Alaska Native children," Paige said. President Bush believes every child should have access to a high-quality education and that American Indian children are no exception."

The federal funds include $5 million in competitive grants for professional development, college preparation and early childhood education and nearly $100 million in formula grants to help 1,200 local education agencies that serve 470,000 Indian students.

Tribal colleges and universities serve more than 30,000 full-time and part-time students and offer vocational certificate programs and associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees.

The grants may fund activities such as family-based preschool, partnerships between schools and universities to assist in the transition from high school to college, and core academic subject enrichment programs.