Governor Dayton dedicated a total of $14.8 million in his supplemental budget for new American Indian (AMI) educational support for the 2016-17 school year. Learn where AMI Students are in Minnesota
MREA has learned that every school district, charter school, and BIA school that enrolls 20 or more AMI students will receive a base of $20,000 and a concentration factor of $405 per AMI student above 20. This greatly expands Success for the Future (SftF) to categorical funding for 122 school districts and all BIA schools and charter school serving 20 or more AMI students. Current Success for the Future grantees are held harmless and will receive no less than their 2014-15 funding. See if your district qualifies in MREA’s unofficial run of districts receiving new AMI funding.
Expect an announcement from the Minnesota Department of Education this week with the department’s projections. MREA is committed to advocating for AMI students, two-thirds of whom are educated in rural Minnesota. If all the AMI students in rural Minnesota (12,538) were educated in one school, they would be the second largest school district in Greater Minnesota, larger than St. Cloud but smaller than Rochester. Learn more about what you can do raise your voice for rural AMI students.
Commissioner Brenda Cassellius, MDE Director Indian Education Dennis Olson and representatives from the Tribal Nations Education Committee (TNEC) made a solid presentation to the Senate E-12 Committee and House Education Finance Committee February 25. Learn more on the State of Indian Education in Minnesota: A Story of Hope and Recommendations and Priorities identified by the 2015 American Education Working Group.
This increase in funding and attention to AMI education has drawn quick support from in Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial: A Worthy Boost for American Indian Education.