The Alaska State Senate passed a bill relating to a demonstration state-tribal education compact. According to Senate Bill 34, the uncodified state law would be amended to add a new section which states that the Board of Education and Early Development shall negotiate a demonstration state-tribal education compact with federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in the state to establish demonstration state-tribal education compact schools.
Sen. Gary Stevens (Kodiak) explained:
“Compacting is a process, a little complicated, through which the state of Alaska and an Alaska Native tribal entity reach an agreement that formally recognizes a tribal entity’s ability to operate and oversee their own K-12 school. It’s sort of a sweeping statement, I realize. It’s prompt with a lot of questions over the course of several committee hearings in both Education and Judiciary, nine committee hearings. The bill has gone through a number of renditions. The version that we have today reflects a compromise by giving federally recognized tribes in our state, tribal organizations, local school boards, and our state board of education and early development, a window of time to negotiate exactly what a state-tribal education compact might look like.”
Sen. Stevens said negotiations are expected to begin immediately with a formal proposal of how the model could be created to be introduced to the body for future consideration:
“State-tribal education compacting is a tremendous opportunity to embrace more Alaska indigenous history, culture, and language in our curriculum. Not just for our Alaska Native students, but also for all students in our state.”
No later than March 31, 2023, the Board of Education and Early Development shall meet with the governing bodies of the federally recognized tribes. In addition, a report will be submitted containing recommendations relating to the demonstration of state-tribal education compact and demonstration state-tribal education compact schools no later than January 31, 2024.
The bill passed on a 13-1 vote and is transmitted to the House for consideration.
Transmitted audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.