Improving Services to Native American Students

No. We are not eliminating our Indian Education program. We are, however, recommending changes to our team structure that would – if approved by our Board of Education – improve our services to Native American students and their families.

Our Indian Education program is entirely funded by federal and tribal funds. Our four funding streams are Title VI, Muscogee Creek Nation JOM, Cherokee Nation JOM, and Cherokee Nation Tag funds. In 2018, we changed the district’s practice of district-wide distribution of Cherokee Nation Tag funds to ensure direct benefit of our Indian Education Program. We are now one of only two school districts in the State of Oklahoma that allocates 100% of our Cherokee Tag funds to serve Native American students through our Indian Education program. 

Have you removed the requirement that Indian Education employees be Native American?

No. We deeply value strong experience working in Native American cultures and deep knowledge of Native American cultures, tribes, and histories. However, we do not and cannot require employees to be Native American to work on any of our teams. The Title VI Indian education federal grant program assurances require thatteam members be of the best talents and resources, including persons from the Indian community. Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination of all Americans based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Is Tulsa Public Schools cutting the Indian Education program to redirect funds to fill their state funding gap? 

No. The proposed changes to the Indian Education program are intended to improve services to our students through both expanding models that have proven to be effective and enhancing the academic support services that we provide to Native American students. All Title VI funds, JOM funds, and Cherokee Tag funds continue to be dedicated, as they should, solely to our Indian Education program.