2002 NATIVE AMERICAN SYMPOSIUM ON EDUCATION CONVENES IN SOUTH SIOUX CITY

NE Commissioner of Education, American Indian College Fund president focus on progress, challenges

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, NE --- 300 teachers, administrators, support staff and students assembled Monday, September 23, to discuss the progress and challenges of Native American education in the State of Nebraska.
   Dr. Doug Christensen, Nebraska Commissioner of Education, outlined of Indian education in Nebraska since the implementation of the Native American Symposium on educational and cultural programs four years ago.
   Our hope is for schools (in Nebraska) to break the tradition of poor Native performance and of low expectations of Native students," he said. That means we must do things differently."
   To change this, Christensen said, four priorities were set: focusing on local leadership, making academics and academic support a number one priority, placing higher priority on professional development, and establishing an army or network of partners."
   To illustrate the progress of Native American education in Nebraska, Christensen cited increased numbers of graduating seniors in Walthill and Winnebago, and increased math and reading scores at Santee and Omaha Nation Public School.
   After Christensens opening remarks, participants attended break away sessions which focused on programs that successfully integrated Native culture and academic achievement. Project Washkon, for example, is an after school program at Walthill and Omaha Nation Public School. Now in its third year, it has featured both, cultural enrichment and academic support programming. Omaha Nation Public School showcased its Omaha Language program as well as its experience with expeditionary learning. Santee Public School presented its successes in the raising of math achievement scores among its K-6 students through the Chicago math program.
   The keynote address was delivered by Rick Williams, executive director of the American Indian College fund and the first American Indian student ever to receive a bachelors degree from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
   Education has been a challenge for Indian people for over 150 years," he explained, adding it was wonderful to see his home state beginning to take the steps necessary to make education more responsive to Native students.