American Indian Ed Action Plan

Mission/Goal Statement/Rationale:
UDV Goal 1: Implement policies and practices that open pathways to academic excellence
for all students.
UDV Goal 2: Utilize culturally relevant teaching and personalized learning for all students.
UDV Goal 3: Engage family and community members as partners.
UDV Goal 4: Engage and empower students by amplifying student voice.

Current Status:
Racial consciousness on part of our staff is needed to advocate for American Indian student
needs
Some American Indian students are graduating on time, some are not. Some middle school
American Indian students are talking about dropping out.
50% of our American Indian students are not meeting proficiency on standardized
assessments. (Add aggregate level data for reading, science and math)
Sense of Belonging - currently American Indian students are being asked to assimilate into
the classroom rather than the teacher eliciting student voice to accommodate the classroom
environment.
The school as a whole and how they perceive American Indian students is causing students to
feel as though they do not belong. You cant do this or that shuts kids down.
Perspectives in history are being taught from white perspective and dismissing the American
Indian perspectives. Also, the history being taught is too heavy in battle/conflict between
American Indian and White. Where are the positive stories and contributions of American
Indians?
Strengths: American Indian teachers are using the MN Indian Education Framework,
Expanding the Circle to guide instruction with American Indian students.
Needs: All staff know grade level standards, have training and resources to provide quality
instruction to all students that includes the history and culture of American Indians.

Guiding Principles:
Using the programming from our Indian Ed staff, expand to all staff.
Clearly identify American Indian standards within Core and Fine Arts Priority Standards
documents.
In collaboration with the American Indian Parent Group, select and align American Indian
resources PreK-12 that positively and accurately represent American Indians.
In collaboration with the American Indian Parent Group build awareness of American Indian
values, contributions, culture so that teachers can create an environment that accommodates
these needs.
Incorporate American Indian student voice through focus groups and other student meetings.
Board plans to adopt standards-based instruction in all classrooms which includes specific
attention to American Indian Standards that are within the MN Standards effective fall of 2016-
17 SY(February 16, 2016).

Scope of Work/Specific Timelines Person(s) Status update to

Charges/Deliverables: Responsible American Indian
Parent Advisory
Committee

Director Teaching and Started December Director Teaching and Monthly

Learning join monthly 2015 Learning
meetings

American Indian Parent January 2016 American Indian January 2016

group agreed to be on task Parent group
force

Develop American Indian February 5th Executive Director of February 16

Action Plan Academics/Director of
Teaching and Learning

Share plan with K-12 February 12th Executive Director of February 16

Principals Academics/Director of
Teaching and
Learning/Director of
Equity and Integration

Share Plan with American February 16 Director Teaching and February 16

Indian Ed Parent Group Learning/Director Approved by American
Equity and Integration Indian Ed Parent Group

1. Standards alignment Fine tune by March Teaching and Learning March

document 1st (T&L)

2. Select curriculum and By April 1st T&L, AI Parents, AI February - April

resources K-12 educators, Tasheena

3. Randy/Racquel develop By May 1st Racquel/Randy/Steph/ April

lessons for each grade T&L
level as a starting point
(can train teachers on
these during summit)

4. Develop short and long- By April 1st Steph April

term timeline for
purchasing, processing,
and distributing curriculum
and resources to staff

5. Develop Professional By May 1 T&L May

Learning calendar, and
establish topics

6. Plan Summer Institute By May 1 T&L May

to include professional
development for American
Indian standards and
curriculum implementation

7. WBWF/Annual Report Due February 24th Steph/Marcellus February

Status report

8. Implement K-12 September 2016 Everyone September

American Indian Standards
and Curriculum

Members (Roles & Responsibilities):

Steph Skelly: Provide leadership and direction for the implementation of the requirements
associated with the MN Academic Standards and Provide leadership and direction for all
processes related to the adoption and implementation of curricular materials, including those
associated with special programs
Marcellus Davis: Coordinate communication and meetings with American Indian parent
group and Teaching and Learning. Provide direction with American Indian Federal and State
legislation.
Wenwu Cooper: Coordinate meetings with American Indian educators and Teaching and
Learning
Randy Gresczyk: Provide direction with curriculum selection and alignment
Racquel Banaszak: Provide direction with curriculum selection and alignment
Tasheena LaChapelle: Provide direction with curriculum selection and alignment
T&L Specialists: Assist with curriculum selection, alignment and professional learning
American Indian Parent Group: Assist with curriculum selection, alignment and
professional learning (Valerie Berrard, Susan Jourdain, Christi, Tammy, Diana Yellowhammer,
Father Parent-Richie Smith
Dave Larsen (Elder): Provide direction with curriculum selection and alignment
Principals
Other district staff with American Indian background (Danielle Krause at PMS, Elaina
Kabral at RMS)
Tracy Mena/Stephanie Crosby - get history of implementation at HS Social Studies
level
Social Studies, Science, Math, ELA, Fine Arts teachers (Elem, MS, HS)

Not in Scope/non-negotiables:
American Indian educator staffing

Communication Channels:
Notes will be kept in Google Docs and shared with all Members
Updates at Cabinet level

Meeting Dates

Meeting Notes Date:

Attendance:
Objectives (Start with a verb Decisions Action - Who/When
as these are action items for
the day and relate back to our
deliverables)