State Board of Education Announced Plans to Establish an
American Indian Advisory Commission
Sacramento -- The State Board of Education (SBE) announced plans to begin the work to establish the American Indian Advisory Commission (AIAC). The SBE discussed the need to establish this commission to help better understand the issues concerning the academic progress that exists between American Indian students and their counterparts.
There are over 44,000 American Indian students in California’s K-12 schools. According to the 2010 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program results, only 45 percent of American Indian students scored proficient and above in the English language arts section and only 34 percent of American Indian students scored proficient or above in the mathematics portion of the examination.
"Today is a historical day and the Board has sent a strong statement that it is committed to finding ways to reduce the persistent lack of academic achievement that exists between American Indian students and their counterparts,” said James Ramos, SBE Board Member.
The AIAC will be charged with identifying strategies for advancing academic achievement; tracking federal and state funds that are allocated to support American Indian students; and developing curriculum that respects American Indian culture that provides an accurate account of California history that highlight the contributions of American Indians to California’s society today.
“I am very appreciative of the many letters of support from the American Indian communities of California,” said Ramos.
President Michael Kirst assigned Member Ramos as the board liaison to work with SBE and California Department of Education staff to finalize the charge and scope of work for the advisory commission.