Title VI: Native American Education

Purpose

Title VI of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), was originally established as part of the 1972 Indian Education Act and later redesignated under ESSA (2015). It provides federal grant funding through the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Indian Education (OIE) to support the unique academic and culturally relevant needs of American Indian and Alaska/Hawaii Native students.

Context: Following the dismantling of the federal government’s forced assimilation efforts (Civilization Fund Act of 1819 and the Peace Policy of 1869); by the 1950s, many Native students moved into U.S. public schools, yet their specific educational needs were being underserved.
Establishment (1972): The Indian Education Act of 1972 was enacted to develop educational programs that were increasingly responsive to the needs of Native students and to reflect a shift toward cultural preservation and self-determination.
Current Status (Title VI, Part A): Today, Title VI provides formula grants to local educational agencies, tribes, and organizations based on the number of students served. The number of students (“student count”) is determined by active 506 forms on file. Eligible families must complete a 506 form once during their child’s tenure in order to participate in Title VI funded programs.
Parent Involvement: In order to meet the needs of students in a culturally competent manner, Title VI requires grantees to involve parents and communities in the development of programs. Locally, the Durango School District is supported by the Native American Parent Advisory Committee (NAPAC).
Purpose & Focus: The program supports “the unique education and culturally related academic needs” of students, with an emphasis on ensuring students meet the same standards as others while preserving cultural identity.

View the Title VI Overview presentation here

Durango School District Board of Education Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that Durango School District is located on lands and territories taken from the Núuchiu (Ute) people. This land is also the ancestral home of or served as a site of trade, gathering, or healing for Apache, Pueblo, Diné, and other nations. We recognize and honor these peoples and nations as traditional stewards of this land and water and respect their enduring relationship with it.

For more information, please reach out to the Title VI Program Manager, Jessica Corley, : [email protected]

ED 506 Form-AX (hard copies available at your school's front office)

Title VI Logo

Group of five wearing traditional clothing and accessories in a gymnasium setting. — Group of students at Title VI event

Five people posing outdoors in front of a green bush under a bright blue sky. — Group of students doing outdoor education

group of people in gym — Community members at round dance event

group of children and adults smiling for camera — Group of students at Title VI event

group of people at meeting — Community members watching a Title VI presentation

large group of people at meeting — Students in classroom engaging in Title VI programming

people at table doing beading projects — Students and staff doing crafts

bison herd in field — Photo of bison standing in an open field

Native American blankets on table — Photo of graduation stoles lined up on a table

group of Native American graduates — Students preparing for the Title VI Graduation Ceremony

group of people at Native American graduation — Students at a community event

group of people after Native American graduation — Students at the Title VI Graduation Ceremony

student holding tribal flag — Student presenting Apache Nation flag at sporting event

six people smiling for camera — Students at a Title VI sponsored field trip

staff learning traditional Native American game — Students playing traditional games on school lawn

three snowboarders sitting on snow — Title VI students on a snowboarding field trip