Three States Pass Impactful Native Education Bills in Spring Legislative Session
As the spring state legislative sessions close, three significant native education bills passed in Minnesota and Montana, and another awaits governor action in Illinois. All three bills are part of the national Native Education for All movement to provide for Native content and curriculum for all students.
Minnesota Passes Education Bill with Several Native Education Policies
Minnesota HF 2497, Omnibus Education Policy Bill was signed into law on May 24, 2023. The landmark bill brings several changes to Native education policy in the state. One of the most significant policy changes is Indigenous education for all (IEFA). The Commissioner of Education must embed IEFA consistent with recommendations from Tribal Nations and urban Native communities regarding the contributions of Native Nations and communities in Minnesota into state standards. The recommendations can include Native History, languages, issues, cultures, treaty rights, governments, and current events among other topics. To support implementation of Indigenous education for all students the commissioner must:
- Provide accurate, tribally endorsed, culturally relevant, community-based, contemporary, and developmentally appropriate resources;
- Provide resources to support all students learning about Native peoples; and
- Conduct a needs assessment by December 31, 2023, to inform the development of resources for Indigenous education for all students. The findings must be reported to members of the legislature, Tribes and tribal communities in Minnesota by February 1, 2024.
In addition, the bill updates several other Native education policies ranging from required courses on Native content, school climate issues, and teacher professional development.
- Indigenous Peoples Day replaces Columbus Day and will include at least one hour of school programing devoted to observance of the day.
- Prohibits American Indian Mascots beginning September 1, 2025, with exceptions for public schools on reservations or schools that receive sufficient approval from Tribal Nations.
- Establishes the Minnesota Indian teacher training program account with up to $75,000 annually appropriations for costs associated with administering the program.
- Requires schools that conduct American Indian education programs to provide Native culture and language classes if at least five percent of students are Native students or 100 or more students are Native students.
- Creates dedicated American Indian education program coordinators with 100 or more state identified American Indian students enrolled in the district.
- School districts or charter schools must not prohibit Native students from wearing Tribal regalia or objects of cultural significance at a graduation ceremony.
- Allows for Native students to carry a medicine pouch containing loose tobacco for observance of traditional spiritual or cultural practices.
- Teachers of color and American Indian teachers' program goal of increasing teachers of color and American Indian teachers by two percent each year to ensure students have equitable access to effective and diverse teachers by 2040.
- Requires the professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to adopt rules that require all licensed teachers renewing their license to include professional development in the cultural heritage and contemporary contributions of American Indians, with particular emphasis on Minnesota Tribal Nations.
Montana Provides Accountability and Clarification for Indian Education for All
Montana HB 338 was signed into law on May 22, 2023. The bill provides accountability and clarity for the implementation of Indian Education for All policy in the state. The bill adds additional reporting requirements to ensure funding for the implementation of Indian Education for All is spent for that purpose. The bill also clarifies the definition of “educational agencies” that must work cooperatively with Tribal Nations in Montana. These agencies include the Montana university system, accredited professional educator preparation programs, the board of public education, the office of public instruction, and school districts.
It is a constitutional requirement that Montana commits to the educational goals to preserve the cultural heritage of Tribal Nations. The Indian Education for All act of 1999 further clarified that all students should learn about the heritage of Native peoples with emphasis on Tribal Nations in Montana. However, Montana has recently received criticism from Tribal Nations and Native education advocates for the lack of implementation and accountability for Indian Education for All in the state. HB 338 strengthens the language of the Indian Education for All act and provides more monitoring and enforcement for the Native education requirements.
Illinois Senate Passes Native History Bill
On May 17, 2023, the Illinois Senate passed HB 1633. The bill now awaits Governor J.B. Pritzker’s signature. The bill states, beginning in the 2024-2025 school year, elementary and high schools shall include Native American history in their social studies courses on American history. Additionally, the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative will be a consultant for the development of Native history curriculum and content that will be used for implementation of the bill and the State Education Equity Committee must include a member from an organization that works for the betterment of Native Americans.
The House previously passed HB 1633 On March 23, 2023, and has popular and bipartisan support in both chambers. The Governor has 60 days to sign or veto the bill. If no action is taken the bill will become law. The bill was introduced in the State House by Representative Maurice West II and is being sponsored in the State Senate by Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton.
For more information, please contact NIEA Tribal State Policy Associate, Waquin Preston, wpreston@NIEA.org
1514 P Street NW
Suite B
Washington, DC 20005
202-544-7290
niea@niea.org
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