The state of South Dakota is wrapping up its annual Indian Education Summit today.

The conference started on Monday. The theme was "Our Voice, Your Voice, One Voice."

Keith Moore, the state's Indian Education coordinator, said education has the power to lift Indian families out of poverty. He said Indian students need motivation to finish school.

Robert Cook, who works with Native American students in the Rapid City School District, said more Native Americans should join the teaching field. He said he is often the only Indian educator at the schools where he works.

Get the Story:
Schools play vital role in Indian Country (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 9/26)
Meeting grasps education gaps (AP 9/26)

National Indian Education Study:
Overview | Executive Summary | Full Report

Relevant Links:
National Center for Education Statistics - http://nces.ed.gov
Nation's Report Card - http://www.nationsreportcard.gov

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