P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501

Indian Student Achievement

 

 

 

In 2007, the Montana State Legislature passed Montana Code Annotated 20‐9‐330, appropriating $200.10 per American Indian child to provide funding to school districts for the purpose of closing the educational achievement gap that exists between American Indian students and non‐Indian students. 

This page shares resources and support around academics and well-being aimed at improving Indian Student Achievement. 

The most current Indian Student Achievement data can be found in the 2020 American Indian Student Achievement Gap Report.  

Keep scrolling to meet the Indian Student Achievement team and access support and resources.

 

Student Support

American Indian College Fund - Financial Aid Basics

American Indian Graduate Center

Cobell Scholarship

Financial Aid Guide for Minority Students

Indian Health Service Scholarship Program

Indigenous Scholars of Promise

Native American College Student Support Guide

Scholarships & Resources for Native American and Alaska Native Students

Scholarships for Native American Students

Strategies for Improving the Accuracy Native Student Identification

 

School Climate Resources

Optimizing Education Data Systems

Attendance Works

Chronic Absence and Native American Students: Unique Challenges

Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana

15 Effective Strategies for Dropout Prevention

Rural Dropout Prevention Resources

Montana GEAR UP

MSU TRiO Student Support Services 

U of M TRIO Student Support Services

American Indian College Fund

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

State Resources

 

American Indian/ Minority Achievement Program

American Indian Tuition Waiver

Directory of Indian Education Programs in Montana

Montana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs

Tribal Nations in Montana: A Handbook for Legislators

 

Tribal Colleges

Our state has the wonderful opportunity to have tribal colleges located on most of our reservation areas.  Tribal colleges offer small class sizes and high quality instructors.  Each offers programs and degrees in a variety of subjects, majors and degrees.  Tribal colleges are open to all students interested in pursing additional education opportunities, while also offering tribal resources and connections to those interested in understanding more about our unique Tribal Nations in Montana.

Aaniiih Nakoda College   - Ft. Belknap Reservation

Blackfeet Community College- Blackfeet Reservation

Chief Dull Knife College- Northern Cheyenne Reservation

Fort Peck Community College- Ft. Peck Reservation

Little Big Horn College- Crow Reservation

Salish Kootenai College-  Flathead Reservation

Stone Child College- Rocky Boy Reservation

 

National Resources

 

Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

The majority of Montana's Native American students are enrolled in public schools located outside of reservation boundaries. Students in public schools, either within or near reservations are also served by the Montana Office of Public Instruction. The Bureau of Indian Education is responsible for the educational guidance for a small percentage of American Indian students throughout the United States.   Montana does have two BIE schools: Northern Cheyenne Tribal School located in Busby, MT and Two Eagle River School in Pablo, MT.

Montana Advisory Council for Indian Education (MACIE)

Constitution

Preamble:
The Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education was established by the Board of Public Education and the Office of Public Instruction to function in an advisory capacity for the education of American Indian students in Montana.

The Montana Advisory Council on Indian Education shall be a strong voice for collaborative efforts among tribal, state, and federal organizations, institutions, groups, and agencies for the express purpose of promoting high quality and equitable educational opportunities for all American Indian students in Montana. This includes, but is not limited to, culture, language, and Indian Education for All.

Membership:
BPE and OPI will jointly make appointments to MACIE based on nominations from Indian tribes, Indian organizations, major education organizations in which Indians participate, and schools where American Indian students and adults attend.

Recognition Award

MACIE would like to recognize the good work happening around the State of Montana on behalf of the American Indian students. We are asking for nominations for individuals, districts, and organizations, both off and on reservations, to honor those people. ​Fill out the nomination form. MACIE will recognize ones selected at the board meetings. 

Nomination form

Meetings

Presentation Request Form

Next MACIE Meeting

April 7, 2021 - 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Working Session Meeting

  • This meeting will be conducted by Zoom. Please email Joan Franke for the link and password. 

Previous MACIE Meetings

 

 

American Indian Student Achievement Research Project

The American Indian Student Achievement Unit and the Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems Research Team are collaborating to explore local community and education stakeholder perceptions about the achievement gap. The project includes exploratory focus groups, a statewide survey, and interviews with indigenous scholars.

The first part of the research project, the focus groups, has been conducted.

Culture and Schools: American Indian Stakeholder Perspectives on the American Indian Student Achievement Gap - 

Summary Brief

Full Technical Report

Achievement Gap Report - 2020