Citing a growing Indian population, South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds (R) and his administration are pushing for the passage of the Indian Education Act.

Rounds created an Office of Indian Education and an advisory council on Indian issue. The bill would make both permanent.

The bill would also require cultural training for new teachers and to include Lakota culture, language and traditions in school lessons. "It�s important for all of our young people in all 168 school districts to receive some instruction on Indian culture, language, traditions and heritage," Secretary of Education Rick Melmer said on KOLC-TV.

About 10 percent of the student population is Indian. Most attend public schools.

Get the Story:
State Indian education act headed for Legislature (The Rapid City Journal 12/15)

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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