(NAME-MCE) Message from National Indian Education Association

[KispokoT at aol.com]

      (http://www.niea.org/)    

National Indian Education Association
110  Maryland Avenue, N.E.
Suite 104
Washington, D.C. 20002
P: (202)  544-7290 / F: (202) 544-7293 

June 19, 2007
Broadcast  #07-028

NATIONAL INDIAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JOINS ‘CAMPAIGN FOR HIGH  SCHOOL EQUITY’

Civil Rights Organizations Ensure Every Student in the Nation is  Prepared 
for Success

Washington, D.C. – Nine of the  nation’s major organizations representing 
communities of color today  announced a historic partnership, a year in the 
making, to ensure that  America’s secondary schools have the capacity and 
motivation to prepare  every student for graduation, college, work, and life. 

The  Campaign for High School Equity boasts a diverse membership, 
particularly  known and respected for their leadership and historic roles in the civil  
rights movement. They are: the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights  Education 
Fund, the League of United Latin American Citizens, the Mexican  American 
Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Association for  the Advancement 
of Colored People, the National Association of Latino  Elected and Appointed 
Officials Educational Fund, the National Council of  La Raza, the National 
Indian Education Association, the National Urban  League, and the Southeast Asia 
Resource Action Center. The convener and  coordinator of the Campaign is the 
Alliance for Excellent Education, a  national policy and advocacy organization 
that focuses on improving the  country’s secondary schools. 

Robin Butterfield spoke for the  National Indian Education Association. “NIEA 
firmly believes that  education equality is the birthright of all Native 
children and, as such,  helps to form the cultural and language legacies of our 
families,  communities, and tribal nations,” she expressed. 

The Campaign for  High School Equity will make sure that excellent education 
will be found  in every classroom through research and participation. Robin 
Butterfield  told the two-hundred news conference attendees, “Native students 
perform  better academically when they are taught in a manner that is consistent 
 with their traditions, languages, and cultures.” Other organizations  shared 
their concerns with insufficient funds and opportunities in their  
communities. 

The goals of the Campaign for High School Equity are  to provide a unique and 
important perspective on federal and national  education policy issues 
critical to high school reform. This partnership  will address the need and options 
for serious reforms in high school  education and be a strong part in building 
strategic advocacy activities  for changes that produce positive outcomes for 
students of color and  low-income students. 

Founded in 1969, The National Indian  Education Association is membership 
based organization committed to  increasing educational opportunities and 
resources for American Indian,  Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students while 
protecting our cultural  and linguistic traditions. 

For more information about the Campaign  for High School Equity, or to 
download a copy of A Plan for Success,  please visit: 
http://www.highschoolequity.org 



 (http://www.niea.org/) 






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