I.P. – Idaho Indian Education Committee – 04-2022

1. Purpose

The purpose of the Idaho Indian Education Committee (Committee) is to advocate for American Indian students, act as an advisory body to the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, and serve as a link between the five Idaho tribes. The mission of the Committee is to create the conditions for and support of the efforts of raising the bar and eliminating the academic achievement gap.

2. Roles and Responsibilities

In order to ensure all American Indian students in Idaho thrive, reach their full potential, and have access to educational services and opportunities, the scope of responsibilities shall include the following:

1. Advocate and inform stakeholders and make recommendations for educational policy as it relates to American Indian student access, retention, graduation, and achievement.
2. Review and make recommendations on instructional materials to ensure inclusion of tribal cultural knowledge and context at all education levels.
3. Review and make recommendations on e ducator certification and recertification programs to ensure inclusion of tribal cultural knowledge and context.
4. Review and make recommendations on educator preparation program standards to ensure inclusion of tribal cultural knowledge and context.
5. Review and make recommendations to ensure integration and use of tribal cultural knowledge and context as a component of instructional practice in schools that serve predominantly American Indian students.
6. Review and make recommendations on funding and programs that serve American Indian students.
7. Review relevant education data to make recommendations on statewide policies, procedures, and to collaborate with Idaho tribes to reflect accurate statistics for making policy recommendations.
8. Identify and promote best practices in supporting the success of American Indian students.
9. The Committee shall meet at a minimum quarterly.

3. Membership

The Idaho Indian Education Committee membership shall be composed of the following:

• One representative from each of the eight public postsecondary institutions
  • Nominations will be submitted from the Institution President
• One representative from each of the five tribal chairs or designee
• One representative from each of the five tribal education departments  One representative from each of the two Bureau of Indian Education schools
  • Representatives must be a school board member, administrator, or designee
• One representative from the State Board of Education
• Two at-large members

Original appointments shall be for terms that are initially staggered to provide a rolling renewal of appointments. Thereafter, appointments shall be for five years, commencing on July 1st. All members of the Committee shall have equal voting privileges. Appointments to vacant positions during the previous incumbent’s term shall be for the remainder of the open term.

The Committee shall elect officers, to include a chairperson and vice- chairperson. Officers are elected to a two (2) year term at a regularly scheduled spring meeting. No elected officer may serve more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Staff support will come from the State Department of Education through the Indian Education Coordinator position and the Office of the State Board of Education and will include the following:

• Advisor to the Chair and Committee
• Liaison between Committee and the State Board of Education, State Department of Education, Colleges and Universities, and other stakeholders
• Preparation of the agenda with input from the Committee
• Notification to Committee of upcoming meetings and other communications
• Compilation of records, publications and disseminating minutes of meetings