Native American Education Program

Serving Native Students in BSD, LWSD & NSD

The Eastside Native American Education Program is a federally-funded program that assists Native American, Alaskan Native and American Indian students in the Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore School districts in grades K-12. Since the initiation of the Indian Education Act of 1972, the federal government has assisted local school districts in funding educational programs for all Native American, American Indian and Alaskan Native children. These programs are intended to provide children with programs that not only offer them the opportunity to succeed academically but to enrich their cultural lives as well.

Program Administrator Lauren Nabahe and an open committee of parents steers the program content and determines the best available talents and resources to implement the program’s activities.

To assist all Native students, provided services include:

• Once a week after-school activities
• Homework support
• Mentoring
• Coordination of home and school needs
• Student advocacy
• Cultural events
• MSP / HSPE preparatory classes
• Microsoft Job Shadow

The program offers opportunities for Native Students and families to create a community through activities the parent committee organizes during the school year. The program’s website provides more detailed information on the current events and activities.

Funding for the Program
This program relies upon a grant from the federal government that is based upon the number of Native children within the educational entity applying for the grant. The Eastside Native American Education Program is a consortium of the Lake Washington, Bellevue and Northshore School districts. The number of children served in the program determines the amount of grant money the program collects.

Federal Requirements and Assessment
The program is required by the federal government to be “comprehensive” in its scope, meaning that it must provide activities that meet the unique needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students, but also must be consistent with and promote the goals in the state and local improvement plans under Title III of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, as well as other state standards and assessments. The program is assessed each year by the government to ensure that the goals are being met.

Program Eligibility
Basically, any child who is an enrolled member of a band or tribe, or who is the child or grandchild of an enrolled member of a band or tribe is eligible for the program. For more details, see the Student Eligibility Form.

Title III American Indian/ Alaska Native Student Services 

Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services provide free, additional, professional language and literacy assistance to eligible students to support academic success and prepare them for college and employment. 

Title III Services focus on individual language and literacy needs. Each student’s language proficiency level, grade level, and educational background are considered to determine which Title III program services are appropriate. Examples of services include:  

• Supplemental instruction of the Since Time Immemorial curriculum or tribally developed history lessons with a language and literacy focus. 

• Supplemental literacy instruction including the Northwest Native American Reading Curriculum. 

Who can qualify for Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services?  

Your child can qualify for support by being American Indian/Alaska Native, academically at-risk, and by scoring below the Proficient level on the WIDA Screener. Documented tribal affiliation or enrollment is not a requirement for Title III eligibility.  

What are the WIDA Screener and annual assessment? 

The WIDA Screener and annual assessment, called ACCESS, are tests used to determine whether your child is eligible for language and literacy support through Title III. The tests are also an instructional tool for teachers to determine what supports your child needs most. 

The screener is given once to determine whether your child is eligible for Title III American Indian/Alaska Native student services. Students who score at the 1 to 4.5 overall level (or 1 to 4 level for K-1) qualify for services to build stronger language and literacy skills.  

The annual ACCESS assessment is given in the spring of each year, until your child achieves the Proficient level and exits the services. The Proficient level is an overall score at the 5.0 level or above (or 4.5 level or above for K-1). The test helps teachers determine what language and literacy instruction will support your child best. Perhaps most importantly, the test can give you an idea of what skills you can practice with your child at home to improve your child’s language and literacy skills. 

The WIDA Screener and annual assessment are also used to identify students for BSD’s multilingual program. Testing opportunities are provided for each program to reflect the individual purposes and services of each program, however. 

What the WIDA Screener and annual assessment are not: 

The WIDA Screener and annual ACCESS assessment are not used as a high school graduation requirement or for withholding a child’s promotion from one grade to the next. The tests are also not to be used as the single measurement for the referral for Special Education services.