[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17992]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 HONORING THE INDIAN TEACHER EDUCATIONAL PERSONNEL PROGRAM AT HUMBOLDT 
                            STATE UNIVERSITY

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2000

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 30th 
anniversary of the Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program 
(ITEPP) at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Since its 
establishment, ITEPP has trained hundreds of students for successful 
careers serving Native American communities across the nation.
  ITEPP was the nation's first Indian teacher-training program created 
to address the dropout rate of American Indian students. It originated 
from the vision of tribal leaders and educators who believed Native 
students would respond better to Native teachers who were not only able 
to teach the basic academic public school curriculum, but could 
maintain the tribal and cultural identities of their students. In the 
mid-80s the program expanded to include training for other educational 
personnel such as social workers, administrators, guidance counselors, 
and tribal service professionals.
  Students from across the nation representing numerous tribes have 
participated in the program. Over ninety percent of the students have 
graduated and the program has a one hundred percent employment rate. 
With this measure of success ITEPP has also become a model for other 
Native teacher-training programs throughout our nation as well as 
Canada and Australia.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate that we honor the accomplishments of 
the Indian Teacher and Educational Personnel Program on the occasion of 
its 30th anniversary and honor the hard work and dedication of its 
graduates who have furthered education and served their community.

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