Purpose

This program is designed to meet the unique educational needs of Alaska Natives and support the development of supplemental educational programs for their benefit.Many Alaska Native children begin and leave school with serious educational handicaps. The educational achievement of Alaska Native children is far below national norms. Native performance on standardized tests is low,Native student dropout rates are high, and natives are significantly underrepresented among Alaskans who have college degrees. The sheer magnitude of the geographic barriers to be overcome in delivering educational services in rural Alaska and Alaska villages requires the development and implementation of a variety of innovative, model programs.More than half of Alaska's public schools are in rural areas. Its rural schools are the smallest on average in the nation, and are heavily attended by Alaska Natives.

WHAT'S NEW--The No Child Left Behind Act

Reduces Bureaucracy and Increases Flexibility

• Combines three separate programs into one program. Consolidated programs include: the Alaska Native Educational Planning,Curriculum Development,Teacher Training and Recruitment program; the Alaska Native Home-Based Education for Preschool Children program; and the Alaska Native Student Enrichment program. By combining these programs, grantees have additional flexibility to choose where they want to spend their funds.

Other Major New Requirements

Expands the types of services available to Alaska Natives, including cultural exchange programs, parenting education, dropout prevention, and community engagement.

How It Works

Competitive grants and contracts are awarded to eligible applicants, which include Alaska Native organizations, educational entities with experience in developing or operating Alaska Native programs or programs of instruction conducted in Alaska Native languages; cultural, and community-based organizations, and state education agencies (SEAs) or school districts, if they apply as part of a consortium involving an Alaska Native organization.

Key Requirements

In awarding grants or contracts, the U.S. Department of Education will give priority to applications from Alaska Native regional nonprofit organizations or consortia that include at least one Alaska Native regional nonprofit organization. Permissible activities under these grants and contracts include:

• Developing and implementing plans, methods, and strategies to improve the education of Alaska Natives.
• Developing curricula and educational programs that address the educational needs of Alaska Native students.
• Professional development activities.
• Developing and operating home-instruction programs for Alaska Native preschool children.
• Family literacy services.
• Student enrichment programs in science and mathematics.
• Research and data-collection activities to determine the educational status and needs of Alaska Native children and adults.
• Remedial and enrichment programs to assist Alaska Native students in performing at a high level on standardized tests.
• Education and training of Alaska Native students enrolled in a degree program that will lead to certification or licensing as teachers.
• Parenting education.
• Activities carried out through Even Start and Heart Start programs and other early learning and preschool programs.
• Dropout prevention programs.
• Career preparation activities to enable Alaska Native children and adults to prepare for meaningful employment.
• Providing operational support and purchasing equipment to develop regional vocational schools in rural areas of Alaska, including boarding schools, for Alaska Native students in grades 9 through 12 or above, to provide students with the necessary resources to prepare for skilled employment opportunities.

Key Activities For The State Education Agencies

A state education agency may apply for a grant as part of a consortium involving an Alaska Native organization.