The purpose of the Indian Education Strengthening Tribal Programs initiative (STP) is to provide grants for a one to three-year period, contingent on annual appropriation to the PED Indian Education Division (IED) for the purpose of funding the New Mexico tribal governments (a) to promote increased collaboration and capacity building between tribal education departments, school districts and the Public Education Department (PED) and/or (b) support the revitalization, maintenance and sustainability of native languages. The overarching goal of this grant program is to increase positive student outcomes for American Indian students.
Applicants must select one out of the three levels of program funding listed below. Each funding level has different expectations regarding program/project design and outcomes.
- Level 1 proposals are for professional development/training/travel to support the Tribal Education Director or Grant Program Administrator in meeting Indian Education Act requirements such as developing local language programs, attending local district consultations and collaborations with other Tribal Education Departments and school districts, developing data sharing practices, bilingual biliteracy seal committees, etc.
- Level 2 proposals must include a mid- to high-impact, culture-based activity for students, parents, teachers, and/or other staff that demonstrates a direct or indirect impact on strategies, plan, development and implementation of collaboration efforts and capacity building between tribal education departments, school districts and the Public Education Department (PED) and/or (b) supporting the revitalization, maintenance and sustainability of native languages.
- Level 3 proposals must include at least one culture-based strategy that can be linked to improving collaboration and student outcomes between a local school with positive student outcomes. Level 3 proposals must also demonstrate how the grant will be used to supplement, not supplant, current Tribal programs and educational activities in conjunction with schools and/or district
The NMPED-IED is administering this RFA in order to select New Mexico Tribes that will receive state funding for implementing quality programs in the following Priority Areas:
- Increasing attendance and reducing truancy;
- Improving educational opportunities for American Indian students to keep them engaged in school and on a pathway to college and/or career success (i.e. academic enrichment programs, after-school/Saturday/summer programs, project-based learning opportunities geared specifically toward American Indian students, etc.);
- Improving student outcomes by strengthening culturally responsive learning environments (i.e. culturally and linguistically responsive teaching, diversity and cultural sensitivity training, etc.)
- Supporting the maintenance of Native language; and
- Addressing challenges that exist across schools and school systems (i.e. transition-planning, reduction in student mobility, addressing academic gaps, etc.).
Applicants are to select one to three Priority Areas to include in their application and implement programs/strategies that will likely lead to the desired outcomes.
The following strategies/programs will be considered for funding within a well-designed proposal:
- Academic Enrichment Activities
- Culturally Responsive Instruction
- Family-Community Involvement strategies
- Language Revitalization and Maintenance activities
- Native Language and Culture Support Systems
- School Climate strategies
- Social Skills Training
- Trauma-Informed Practices
- Transition strategies
- Truancy and attendance strategies
- Upward Bound
- Wrap-Around Services
- Other demonstrated strategies may be considered
None is available.