Title VI-C - Indian Education

  • Part C Title VI of the “Every Student Succeeds Act” (ESSA) of 2015 details the national expectations to provide a quality education for American Indian, Alaska and Hawaiian Native students. There are federal grant programs to 1) support the efforts of local educational agencies to meet the culturally related educational needs of native students so such students can meet academic standards; 2) ensure that students gain knowledge and understanding of Native communities, languages, tribal histories, traditions and cultures, and 3) to ensure that school staff who serve native students have the ability to provide culturally appropriate and effective instruction [1]

    The Medford School District 549C is part of a consortium led by the Southern Oregon Education District (SOESD). For more information on the services below, please contact 541-245-4619 or http://www.soesd.k12.or.us/migrant-ed-ell/.

    Services from the SOESD

    Native American Student Unions

    The project will create and implement sixteen new NASUs and continue to support three others within the five local districts with the highest number of AI/AN students registered in the Title VI Indian Education Program. The NASUs will implement culturally responsive and sustaining activities that will affirm identity for middle and high school youth. These activities will include our Native Games Day, Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebration, Strong Futures Program, making regalia, sharing of different traditions from all tribes, mentorship from Native college students, and teachings from local Elders, among others. The NASUs will also provide connection to a caring staff member, peer support, a respectful space for parental involvement, and access to our own SOESD Indian Education Facilitator.  The SOESD Indian Education Facilitator will create the curriculum and organize of the activities for all NASUs.The program’s goals are to increase graduation rates, increase achievement by closing opportunity gaps, increase attendance rates, and address disproportionate discipline of AI/AN students. The program is also heavily involved in efforts to diversify the educator workforce and in providing professional development opportunities by offering Senate Bill (SB) 13 Tribal History / Shared History workshops.

    Campus Visits

    The Strong Futures program takes groups of students who are enrolled in the Indian Education program on college campus tours throughout Oregon. This is an opportunity for students to experience campus life and see what options they have after high school.

    We can help with:

    • Financial aid and scholarships
    • Senior and service projects
    • College and vocational school applications
    • Writing and reviewing application essays
    • Finding Tribal educational resources for funding and support

    Other Services

    • Tutoring
    • Consortium Parent Committee (CPC)

    How to register for the program

    Parents/guardians needs to fill out the Title VI Student Eligibility Form (Form 506) (PDF file) in order to register their American Indian/Alaska Native student. Please use a separate form for each student. Please return the completed form to: PESD - SOESD Indian Education, 5465 S. Pacific Hwy., Phoenix, OR 97535

    You can now also fill out the SOESD online form!

    [1] Oregon Department of Education, American Indian/Alaska Native Education. https://www.oregon.gov/ode/students-and-family/equity/NativeAmericanEducation/Pages/default.aspx (December 7, 2021).