US Native Indians turn to charter schools

Throughout the US, Indian tribal officials are turning to charter schools as their best opportunity to reach a generation of Indian students who have dropped out or drifted through traditional public schools, Associated Press reports.

Charter schools receive public money, but are free from many of the rules and restrictions that apply to other public schools.

The Indian charter schools focus on tribal culture, history and language in an effort to lift poor Indian student performance and reinforce native culture.

A school planned for Alaska, for example, plans to offer hunting, harvesting, building canoes and berry-picking, alongside the standard curriculum.

Another, in Oregon, teaches traditional beadwork and basketry in art classes, discusses native fables in English and, instead of Spanish or German, gives instruction in the almost-lost Indian languages spoken by students' ancestors.

The Washington DC-based Center for Education Reform, which tracks charter schools, counts at least 30 Indian charter schools. Arizona has the most, with 12, followed by California which has six.

Indian charters have also opened in Minnesota, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico and Washington, with more in the works in other states.

The AP story on the growth of Indian charters.

A Subtext story on the rise of US charter schools.