Journal of American Indian EducationVolume 37 Number 1
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Special Issue - Part I Selected Papers from the Research Symposium National Indian Education Association During the 1997, National Indian Education Association (NIEA) convention in Tacoma, Washington, the Center for Indian Education at Arizona State University and NIEA forged a partnership that creates a new dimension of research and scholarship in Indian Education. Commencing this issue, the Journal of American Indian Education is publishing four papers presented at the 1997 NIEA Research Symposium in the first of a two part special issue. This new collaboration of the National Indian Education Association and the Journal of American Indian Education not only showcases native scholarship but provides an avenue to insure that this valuable research is disseminated to communities, schools and educators who most affect the educational future of American Indian and Alaska Native youth. Discussions continued during the 1998 NIEA Nashville convention to make our partnership even more effective and far-reaching. With such dynamic new partnerships underway, we intend to continue building upon our tradition of presenting high quality research in the field of American Indian Education. Since the Journal of American Indian Education is a refereed educational research publication, juried review is essential. All of the members of our review panel are respected educators who are notable not only for their expertise on various aspects of American Indian Education, but also for their personal dedication and commitment to presenting some of the best research and writing in the field. President Clinton, on August 6, 1998, signed the Executive Order on Indian Education. As part of this order, the Secretary of Education, through the Office of Educational Research and Improvement and the Office of Indian Education, and in consultation with the National Advisory Council on Indian Education and participating agencies, shall develop and implement a comprehensive Federal research agenda to: (1) establish baseline data on academic achievement and retention of American Indian and Alaska Native students in order to monitor improvements; (2) evaluate promising practices used with those students; and (3) evaluate the role of native language and culture in the development of educational strategies. We support President Clinton's Executive Order. We especially embrace the thoughts he shared upon the signing of the order, "So let us work to bring this generation and the next seven generations a world of abundant hope and opportunity, where all tribes have vanquished poverty and disease and all people have the tools to achieve their greatest potential." It is an historic time to be working in Indian Education. New alliances as well as national and tribal leadership enhance our collective "voice" in education policies and practices that affect all levels of education for American Indians and Alaska Natives. |
