Montana agrees to accountability for Indigenous education

The Montana Office of Public Instruction has reached a settlement with a group of students, families, and tribes to address a years-long legal dispute regarding the implementation of Indigenous education in the state. The settlement, which awaits final court approval, aims to resolve a class action lawsuit filed in 2021 alleging that the state has failed to comply with a constitutional mandate requiring K-12 public education to recognize the "distinct and unique cultural heritage of American Indians."

In 1999, the state Legislature enacted the Indian Education for All (IEFA) Act to implement this constitutional requirement, mandating the teaching of Native American history and culture in public schools. However, according to the lawsuit, school districts have improperly used funds intended to support IEFA, with only 10% of Montana school districts accounting for their IEFA funding expenditures on appropriate expenses in 2019 and 2020.

The settlement requires the Office of Public Instruction to ensure proper use of IEFA funds, such as developing curricula, purchasing relevant materials, and training teachers.

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