Acting U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King Jr. will give remarks at the National Congress of American Indians 2016 Executive Council Winter Session in Washington, D.C., on Monday, Feb. 22. William Mendoza, executive director, White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, will join King for a question-and-answer session. King will discuss the Department’s work to improve excellence and equity in education for all students. He also will highlight how the new education law—Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)—builds on progress made in education since the beginning of the Obama Administration and the work that lies ahead to ensure that American Indian and Alaskan Native children are prepared to succeed in college, careers and life.
The Obama Administration is committed to improving the lives of American Indian and Alaskan Native children. In September, the Department announced $5.3 million in grants to support Native Youth Community Projects (NYCP) in becoming college- and career-ready. These grants are impacting more than 30 tribes in nine states and involve more than 48 schools. The program allows tribes and tribal communities to identify culturally appropriate supports to address needs for students that have been identified by the community. The grants support President Obama’s Generation Indigenous “Gen I” Initiative also launched last year to help Native American youth.