A Framework for Working Respectfully with Indigenous Communities Around Data and Evidence

Date: December 14, 2021

American Indian students in the United States experience disproportionate outcomes in school—high rates of special education identification, suspension, and chronic absenteeism. In spite of the systemic inequities that affect Native American students, state education agencies (SEAs) employ few staff who specialize in American Indian education.

To address the challenges and complexities of American Indian realities in today’s society, SEA staff need resources for working collaboratively and respectfully with Native students, families, communities, and nations, especially to facilitate the use of data and evidence that can improve students’ academic and social-emotional outcomes. Each Native community features distinct and complex cultural, economic, educational, historical, linguistic, political, and spiritual foundations that present opportunities for welcoming and including tribally held cultural and educational resources to facilitate the use of data and evidence.

REL West invites SEA staff to explore principles and practices for working respectfully with Indigenous community members to advance educational equity for Native American students.

In this webinar, SEA staff will:

• Explore practices that will better prepare them to work with Indigenous peoples in their states, particularly around planning, collecting, analyzing, and using findings from data collection and research efforts
• Learn strategies for partnering with tribal community leaders using data and research to improve academic and wellness outcomes for Native students

Audience

The target audience for this event is SEA administrators and staff, including those who are responsible for the education of tribal students and those interested in supporting the professional learning of staff beyond those who specialize in American Indian education.