American Indian Education

A large part of the equity-related work that San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) champions directly supports California American Indian students and populations. These efforts include featuring information in the SDCOE Equity Blueprint for Action that addresses the needs of Native American communities and students.

The SDCOE Multilingual Education and Global Education department facilities communities of practices to  support cradle to career innovative practices to create conditions for Native American students and families to thrive. Using Liberatory Design, educational leadership teams work with Native American communities  to create  conditions for curb-cut innovations that will support Native American youth and family agency and voice. 

To support American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) student success, the San Diego County Office of Education provides:

• Native Ways of Knowing professional learning offerings and resources that foster culturally responsive teaching,
• Tools to help schools develop successful research-based American Indian Educational programs,
• Technical support to help schools / districts to design conditions to encourage Native American students, family, and tribal community agency and voice, 
• Collaboration and networking opportunities for tribal education agencies, educators, and administrators to share best practices to support AI/AN students, and
• Resources that create safe spaces for listening, healing, and relationship-building with tribal communities and Title VI committees.

2023 California Indian Education for All Summer Summit

We invite PK-12 educators, administrators, Title VI committee members, Tribal Education staff, college/university faculty, and tribal community members to a free American Indian Education Summer Summit. As a community, we will gather to learn from American Indian Education experts to learn and share effective practices for engaging Native families and tribal communities. This Summit will provide resources to improve the educational programs for Native youth and families. This Community of Practice will share resources and programs in K-12 education related to American Indian Education, Place-based learning, CA Native American Studies curriculum, culturally responsive literacy, Native Youth Leadership, community engagement, and improvement strategies to facilitate Native community leadership and agency in schools. We welcome those who share a commitment for improving access, opportunities, and support to allow American Indian students to thrive in school. Engage in dynamic professional learning around building more culturally responsive systems, schools, and classrooms. Join teams of preschool, K-12, college and university teachers, counselors and administrators at this two-day event.

Dates: Aug. 10-11

Location: Sycuan Convention Center, 5469 Casino Way, El Cajon, CA 92019

Cost: This conference is free through the funds from the U.S. Department of Education NYCP Native Scholar Pathway grant and California Department of Education Native American Studies Model Curriculum grant. Please only register if you know you will be able to attend. 

Register here

About California Indian Education for All

SDCOE, the California Indian Museum and Cultural Center, and the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center partnered to create California Indian Education for All (CIEFA). CIEFA’s efforts are centered around helping teachers and schools educate students about the diverse contributions, histories, and cultures of California Native peoples. Teachers have access to open source culturally responsive resources and place-based Native American Studies curricula that improve representations and classroom climates for teaching and learning about California's first peoples.

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