Sioux Falls School District allocates grant funds for Indian education programs and support

The Sioux Falls School District is set to enhance educational support for Native American students following a recent school board work session. The district has secured a grant of $407,751, which will fund various educational roles, including one Office of Indian Education teacher, clerical support, and a portion of social workers' salaries. This funding will also facilitate professional development for teachers and provide scholarships for students pursuing GEDs and summer programs.

A significant focus of the meeting was the establishment of a parent committee composed of Native American parents, which is a requirement of the Title VI grant. This committee will advise the district on programming and address the needs of Native students, ensuring their voices are heard in educational decisions.

The discussion also highlighted the challenges in tracking academic data for Native students, particularly those identifying as two or more ethnicities. The district aims to improve its data collection methods to better understand graduation rates and academic progress among these students. Currently, the district's graduation rates align closely with state averages, but there is a need for more granular data to identify specific trends and areas for improvement.

Attendance rates among Native students were another key topic, with the board acknowledging the impact of cultural factors and historical trauma on student attendance. The district is committed to addressing these issues by enhancing support services, particularly at schools with higher populations of Native students, such as Joe Foss High School.

Looking ahead, the district plans to integrate culturally relevant content into all subject areas, continuing its efforts to represent Native American perspectives in the curriculum. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to foster academic success and ensure that all students, particularly those from diverse backgrounds, receive the support they need to thrive in their educational journeys.