"For quite a few years now, schools across South Dakota have sought ways to address the lower average test scores of Native American students.

The Sioux Falls district has the right idea with its plan to develop an elementary-level program emphasizing Native American culture.

Schools in our city certainly haven't been ignoring the issue. In middle school and high school, Indian students have a chance to learn more about their heritage through Native American Connections classes.

Studies show, however, that differences in test scores show up as early as third grade to fifth grade in reading and in math.

It makes sense that helping students find a connection with their heritage at an earlier age might help them become more interested in reading and math and give them more of an incentive to try harder at their studies.

But there's more than mere logic to back up that reasoning: A similar project in Montana has seen improved results among Native American students."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Better odds for Indian children (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 6/2)

Also Today:
A lift for Indian students (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/31)