[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 91 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 91
To amend the Native American Languages Act to provide for the support
of Native American Language Survival Schools, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 22, 2001
Mr. Inouye (for himself and Mr. Akaka) introduced the following bill
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Native American Languages Act to provide for the support
of Native American Language Survival Schools, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Native American Languages Act
Amendments Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purposes of this Act are to--
(1) encourage and support the development of Native
American Language Survival Schools as innovative means of
addressing the effects of past discrimination against Native
American language speakers and to support the revitalization of
such languages through education in Native American languages
and through instruction in other academic subjects using Native
American languages as an instructional medium, consistent with
United States policy as expressed in the Native American
Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.);
(2) demonstrate the positive effects of Native American
Language Survival Schools on the academic success of Native
American students and their mastery of standard English;
(3) encourage and support the involvement of families in
the educational and cultural survival efforts of Native
American Language Survival Schools;
(4) encourage communication, cooperation, and educational
exchange among Native American Language Survival Schools and
their administrators;
(5) provide support for Native American Language Survival
School facilities and endowments;
(6) provide support for Native American Language Nests
either as part of Native American Language Survival Schools or
as separate programs that will be developed into more
comprehensive Native American Language Survival Schools;
(7) support the development of local and national models
that can be disseminated to the public and made available to
other schools as exemplary methods of teaching Native American
students; and
(8) develop a support center system for Native American
Survival Schools at the university level.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 103 of Public Law 101-477 (25 U.S.C. 2902) is amended to
read as follows:
``definitions
``Sec. 103. In this Act:
``(1) Indian.--The term `Indian' has the meaning given that
term in section 9161 of the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7881).
``(2) Indian tribal government.--The term `Indian tribal
government' has the meaning given that term in section 502 of
Public Law 95-134 (42 U.S.C. 4368b).
``(3) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the
meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b).
``(4) Indian reservation.--The term `Indian reservation'
has the meaning given the term `reservation' in section 3 of
the Indian Financing Act of 1974 (25 U.S.C. 1452).
``(5) Native american.--The term `Native American' means an
Indian, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander.
``(6) Native american language.--The term `Native American
language' means the historical, traditional languages spoken by
Native Americans.
``(7) Native american language college.--The term `Native
American Language College' means--
``(A) a tribally-controlled community college or
university (as defined in section 2 of the Tribally-
Controlled Community College or University Assistance
Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801)) or a college applying for
a Native American Language Survival School in a Native
American language which that college regularly offers
as part of its curriculum and which has the support of
an Indian tribal government traditionally affiliated
with that Native American language; or
``(B) Ka Haka `Ula O Ke'elikolani College.
``(8) Native american language educational organization.--
The term `Native American Language Educational Organization'
means an organization that--
``(A) is governed by a board consisting primarily
of Native Americans and as many speakers of 1 or more
Native American languages as possible;
``(B) is currently providing instruction through
the use of a Native American language to at least 10
preschool, elementary, or high school students for at
least 700 hours of instruction per year per student;
``(C) has provided such instruction for at least 10
preschool, elementary, or high school students through
a Native American language for at least 700 hours per
year per student for not less than 3 years prior to
applying for a grant under this Act; and
``(D) may be a public school that meets the
requirements of subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
``(9) Native american language nest.--The term `Native
American Language Nest' means a site-based educational program
enrolling families with children below the age of 7 which is
conducted through a Native American language for at least 700 hours per
year per student with the specific goal of strengthening, revitalizing,
or reestablishing a Native American language and culture as a living
language and culture of daily life.
``(10) Native american language survival school.--The term
`Native American Language Survival School' means a Native
American language dominant site-based educational program which
expands from a Native American Language Nest, either as a
separate entity or inclusive of a Native American Language
Nest, to enroll families with children eligible for elementary
or secondary education and which provides a complete education
through a Native American language with the specific goal of
strengthening, revitalizing, or reestablishing a Native
American language and culture as a living language and culture
of daily life.
``(11) Native american pacific islander.--The term `Native
American Pacific Islander' means any descendant of the
aboriginal people of any island in the Pacific Ocean that is a
territory or possession of the United States.
``(12) Native hawaiian.--The term `Native Hawaiian' has the
meaning given that term in section 9212 of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7912).
``(13) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of Education.
``(14) Traditional leaders.--The term `traditional leaders'
includes Native Americans who have special expertise in Native
American culture and Native American languages.
``(15) Tribal organization.--The term `tribal organization'
has the meaning given that term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).''.
SEC. 4. NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE NESTS AND SURVIVAL SCHOOLS.
Title I of Public Law 101-477 (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) is amended
by adding at the end the following new sections:
``general authority
``native american language nests
``Sec. 108. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide
funds, through grant or contract, to Native American Language
Educational Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, Indian
tribal governments, organizations that demonstrate the potential to
become Native American Language Educational Organizations, or a
consortia of such organizations, colleges, or tribal governments for
the purpose of establishing Native American Language Nest programs for
students below the age of 7 and their families.
``(b) Requirements.--A Native American Language Nest program
receiving funds under this section shall--
``(1) provide instruction and child care through the use of
a Native American language for at least 10 children below the
age of 7 for at least 700 hours per year per student;
``(2) provide compulsory classes for parents of students
enrolled in a Native American Language Nest in a Native
American language, including Native American language-speaking
parents;
``(3) provide compulsory monthly meetings for parents and
other family members of students enrolled in a Native American
Language Nest;
``(4) provide a preference in enrollment for students and
families who are fluent in a Native American language;
``(5) receive at least 5 percent of its funding from
another source, which may include federally funded programs,
such as a Head Start program funded under the Head Start Act
(42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.); and
``(6) ensure that a Native American language becomes the
dominant medium of instruction in the Native American Language
Nest within a period of 6 years of receiving funding under this
Act.
``native american language survival schools
``Sec. 109. (a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to provide
funds, through grant or contract, to Native American Language
Educational Organizations, Native American Language Colleges, Indian
tribal governments, or a consortia of such organizations, colleges, or
tribal governments to operate, expand, and increase Native American
Language Survival Schools throughout the United States and its
territories for Native American children and Native American language-
speaking children, including through the provision of direct
educational services and school support services.
``(b) Eligibility.--As a condition of receiving funds under
subsection (a), a Native American Language Educational Organization, a
Native American Language College, an Indian tribal government, or a
consortia of such organizations, colleges, or tribal governments--
``(1) shall--
``(A) have at least 3 years experience in operating
and administering a Native American Language Survival
School, a Native American Language Nest, or other
educational programs in which instruction is conducted
in a Native American language; and
``(B) include students who are subject to State
compulsory education laws; and
``(2) may include students from infancy through grade 12,
as well as their families.
``(c) Priority.--In making grants or entering into contracts, the
Secretary shall give priority to--
``(1) the provision of direct educational services;
``(2) applicants with the support of the appropriate tribal
government or governments; and
``(3) applicants that have researched language
revitalization and the unique characteristics and circumstances
of the languages of their schools.
``(d) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Required uses.--A Native American Language Survival
School receiving funds under this section shall--
``(A) consist of not less than 700 hours of
instruction per student conducted annually through a
Native American language or languages for at least 15
students for whom a Native American Language Survival
School is their principal place of instruction;
``(B) provide direct educational services and
school support services to students that may also
include--
``(i) support services for children with
special needs;
``(ii) transportation;
``(iii) boarding;
``(iv) food service;
``(v) teacher and staff housing;
``(vi) purchase of basic materials;
``(vii) adaptation of teaching materials;
``(viii) translation and development; or
``(ix) other appropriate services;
``(C) provide direct or indirect educational and
support services for the families of enrolled students
on site, through colleges, or through other means to
increase their knowledge and use of the Native American
language and culture, and may impose a requirement of
family participation as a condition of student
enrollment; and
``(D) ensure that within 3 years of enrollment, all
students achieve functional fluency appropriate to the
unique circumstances and endangerment status of that
Native American language with the ultimate goal of
academic or cognitive fluency.
``(2) Permissible uses.--A Native American Language
Survival School receiving funds under this section may--
``(A) include Native American Language Nests and
other educational programs for students who are not
Native American language speakers but who seek to
establish fluency through instruction in a Native
American language or to reestablish fluency as
descendants of Native American language speakers;
``(B) provide instruction through more than 1
language;
``(C) provide instruction through a regional
program (as opposed to 1 site) to better serve
geographically dispersed students;
``(D) include a program of concurrent and summer
college or university education course enrollment for
secondary school students enrolled in Native American
Language Survival Schools, as appropriate;
``(E) provide special support for Native American
languages for which there are very few or no remaining
Native American language speakers;
``(F) develop comprehensive curricula in Native
American language instruction and instruction through
Native American languages including--
``(i) curricula that can be used by public
schools for instruction through a Native
American language or teaching Native American
languages as subjects;
``(ii) community Native American language
use in communities served by Native American
Language Survival Schools; and
``(iii) knowledge of a specific Native
American language gained through research for
the purpose of directly aiding the development
of curriculum materials;
``(G) provide programs in pre-service and in-
service teacher training, staff training, personnel
development programs, programs to upgrade teacher and
staff skills, and community resource development
training, that shall include a program component which
has as its objective increased Native American language
speaking proficiency for teachers and staff employed in
Native American Language Survival Schools and Native
American Language Nests, which may include--
``(i) visits or exchanges among Native
American Language Survival Schools and Native
American Language Nests of school or nest
teachers, staff, students, or families of
students;
``(ii) participation in conference or
special nondegree programs focusing on the use
of a Native American language or languages for
the education of students, teachers, staff,
students, or families of students;
``(iii) full or partial scholarships and
fellowships to colleges or universities for the
professional development of faculty and staff,
and to meet requirements for the involvement of
the family or the community of Native American
Language Survival School students in Native
American Language Survival Schools, and to
develop resource persons for Native American
language programs in public schools, provided
that a recipient of a fellowship or scholarship
awarded under the authority of this clause who
is enrolled in a program leading to a degree or
certificate shall--
``(I) be trained in the Native
American language of the Native
American Language Survival School, if
such program is available through that
Native American language;
``(II) complete a minimum annual
number of hours in Native American
language study or training during the
period of the fellowship or
scholarship; and
``(III) enter into a contract which
obligates the recipient to provide his
or her professional services, either
during the fellowship or scholarship
period or upon completion of a degree
or certificate, in Native American
language instruction in the Native
American language associated with
the Native American Language Survival School in which the service
obligation is to be fulfilled;
``(iv) training in the language and culture
associated with a Native American Language
Survival School either under community or
academic experts in programs which may include
credit courses;
``(v) structuring of personnel operations
to support Native American language and
cultural fluency and program effectiveness;
``(vi) Native American language planning,
documentation, reference material and archives
development; or
``(vii) recruitment for participation in
teacher, staff, student, and community
development; or
``(H) rent, lease, purchase, construct, maintain or
repair educational facilities to ensure the academic
achievement of Native American Language Survival School
students.
``demonstration programs regarding linguistics assistance
``Sec. 110. (a) Demonstration Programs.--The Secretary shall
provide funds, through grant or contract, for the establishment of 3
demonstration programs that will provide assistance to Native American
Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests. Such
demonstration programs shall be established at--
``(1) Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of the University
of Hawaii at Hilo, in consortium with the `Aha Punana Leo,
Inc., and with other entities if deemed appropriate by such
College, to--
``(A) conduct a demonstration program in the
development and operation of the various components of
a regional Native American Language Survival School
program and college level Native American language
teaching and use that is supportive of Native American
Language Survival Schools; and
``(B) provide assistance in the establishment,
operation, and administration of Native American
Language Nests and Native American Language Survival
Schools by such means as training, hosting
informational visits to demonstration sites, and
providing a national clearinghouse for data and
information relevant to teaching Native American
languages, outreach, courses, conferences, and other
means;
``(2) Piegan Institute of Browning, Montana to demonstrate
the operation of a Native American Language Nest and Survival
School; and
``(3) the Alaska Native Language Center of the University
of Alaska at Fairbanks, in consortium with other entities as
deemed appropriate by such Center, to conduct a demonstration
program, training, outreach, conferences, visitation programs,
and other assistance in developing orthographies, resource
materials, language documentation, language preservation,
material archiving, and community support development.
``(b) Use of Technology.--The demonstration programs authorized to
be established under this section may employ synchronic and asynchronic
telecommunications and other appropriate means to maintain coordination
and cooperation with one another and with participating Native American
Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests.
``(c) Directions to the Secretary.--The demonstration programs
authorized to be established under this section shall provide direction
to the Secretary in developing a site visit evaluation of Native
American Language Survival Schools and Native American Language Nests.
``(d) Followup and Data Collection.--The demonstration programs
authorized to be established under this section may conduct followup
data collection and analysis on students while they are in school to
assess how Survival School students are performing in comparison to
other students, as well as identify instructional methods that are
working and those methods which may not be working.
``(e) Endowments and Facilities.--The demonstration programs
authorized to be established under this section may establish
endowments for the purpose of furthering their activities relative to
the study and preservation of Native American languages, and may use
funds to provide for the rental, lease, purchase, construction,
maintenance, and repair of facilities.
``authorization of appropriations
``Sec. 111. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary to carry out the activities authorized by this Act for
each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.''.
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