Upcoming Events:

Central Texas First Nations Education Consortium

Austin ISD and other districts in Region 13 have joined together to form the Central Texas First Nations Education Consortium: Consortium Districts include: Austin ISD, Bastrop ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Round Rock ISD, Leander ISD, Dripping Springs ISD, Wimberley ISD, Hays Consolidated ISD, and Liberty Hill ISD.

• Districts on the Title VII Grant for 2009-10 are Austin ISD, Bastrop ISD, Leander ISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Round Rock ISD, and Pflugerville ISD.

Each participating district who meets the minimum requirements* and is included on the e-grant application will share in the resources generated by this title program. We welcome other districts to our consortium. Please contact this office at 512.414.0159 for more information.

Interlocal agreements establish the level of support available from the Austin Independent School District's Title VII American Indian Education Grant funded by the U.S. Department of Education (CFDA Number: 84.060) for each of the school districts that make up the Central Texas First Nations Education Consortium, as well as ongoing regional support of school-centered American Indian Education in Central Texas.

The agreements contain a commitment to continuous improvement of the planning, training and educational process, which represents collaboration among the Central Texas First Nations Education Consortium in cooperation with local and regional school districts and the Texas Educational Agency to educate American Indian and Alaskan Native Children.

• Ensuring that school districts have support to provide culturally relevant education to American Indian students.
• Supporting planning and education efforts among community, participating districts, private schools and other community partners.
• Coordinating resource management and ensuring that school districts have the appropriate tools and training to carry out a culturally relevant educational program.
• Implementing the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Participating in meetings, subcommittees, planning, training and American Indian culture programs.
• Providing other support and assistance as appropriate and necessary.

The American Indian Education Program is a formula grant through the Office of Indian Education (OIE) and is 100% federally funded.

Students who are members of a federally or state recognized tribe of American Indians or whose parents or grandparents are members of an American Indian Tribe are eligible to participate in this project.

Students are encouraged to excel in all subjects and are provided culturally relevant reading books for summer reading. In the Fall and Spring students participate in Youth/Elder projects designed to bring the generations together and encourage academic excellence.

The Native American Parent Committees (NAPCs) serve as the parent advisory committees for the AIEP. There are currently 4 area NAPCs: Austin, Bastrop, Round Rock/Pflugerville and Leander/Liberty Hill NAPC. The NAPCs meet at various times and locations, but there are usually no meetings in December or January. Check the Information column on this web-page for currently scheduled meeting dates and times.

Students are encouraged to come to these meetings and participate. Heritage activities are demonstrated at these meeting and Youth/Elder events. Past activities have included a drum making workshop and a boat tour at the Canyon of the Eagles.

Each year AIEP students are invited to participate in an Honor Dance at the Austin Powwow, the first Saturday of November. Interested parents may come by the NAPC information booth at the Powwow and speak with other parents and students who are actively involved in the program.