Native Education Work Group Report to the Shelton School District Board of Directors February 28, 2012

NEWG History and Purpose Started in with a focus on “helping kids walk” Developed a statement of purpose Reached consensus on shared beliefs and values foundational to Native Education Developed 5-year strategic action plan around 4 goals: (Communication, Best Practice, Data, Family Involvement) Partnered with Olympic College and Tribes to offer Early College High School program Implemented Strategic Plan Updated mission, purpose, and values in Spring 2010

NEWG Membership Education Directors (Skokomish and Squaxin Island Tribes) Director Shelton Campus (Olympic College) Superintendents or Designees (Shelton, Hood Canal, Pioneer, Southside) Principals or Designees (Bordeaux, Evergreen, Mountain View, Olympic Middle School, Oakland Bay Junior High, Shelton High School, CHOICE) Director of Indian Education, Indian Education Staff (Shelton School District) Other district, college, or tribal staff members as needed

NEWG Alignment to SSD Mission NEWG Mission: “Supporting the educational goals of every Native student” NEWG Purpose: “The purpose of NEWG is to collaborate on programs and policies that engage each Native student in his or her educational pursuits” Shelton School District Mission: “A shared commitment to provide the most effective education to all students so they lead successful lives”

NEWG Alignment to Strategic Plan NEWG Values: All students are gifted and talented; they are to be valued and respected. Open communication and meaningful partnerships among educators, families, and tribes improve education for Native youth. Educational practices that serve Native youth will serve all students well. Shelton School District Core Values:  Integrity  Commitment  Accountability  Respect  Equity

NEWG Alignment to Strategic Plan NEWG Goals: Improve communication between district and tribes at all levels; Provide teaching and learning opportunities for all stakeholders re: strategies to support Native Students; Improve collection and sharing of data between the tribes, school districts, and local colleges. Shelton School District Strategic Goals: Reading Achievement Math Achievement Graduation Rate

NEWG Alignment to Strategic Plan Shelton School District Support Goals Educational Options Student Support Services Technology Fiscal Stability Community Engagement Facilities Improvement and Development Human Resources

Future Work Increase communications of all kinds ▫District and Tribal Newsletters ▫Participation in District and Tribal Events Develop policies and procedures for information sharing ▫MOU for data sharing consistent with FERPA ▫MOU for early college

Future Work Curriculum Adoptions ▫Include Tribal representatives in adoption committees (Social Studies and Health/Fitness) ▫Incorporate Tribal Sovereignty curriculum into district programs Professional Development – Annually “Cultural Competency (Native American History and Culture Part II)”

Future Work Early College High School: Continue to work with partners to enhance options for program participants. ▫English at Choice High School ▫Olympic College program participants since 2005 inception = 149 students Increase membership and participation in Title VII Indian Education Committee

Your Support Learn with us and participate in the professional development on March 9 th Anticipate policy recommendations coming from NEWG based on the work we are doing on the issues we have described Schedule a study session with School Boards from area districts this year. Next year, let’s do the NEWG update for the joint Board Meeting in January.