The purpose of the Indian Education Act is to:

A. ensure equitable and culturally relevant learning environments, educational opportunities and culturally relevant instructional materials for American Indian students enrolled in public schools;

B. ensure maintenance of native languages;

C. provide for the study, development and implementation of educational systems that positively affect the educational success of American Indian students;

D. ensure that the department of education [public education department] partners with tribes to increase tribal involvement and control over schools and the education of students located in tribal communities;

E. encourage cooperation among the educational leadership of Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and the Navajo Nation to address the unique issues of educating students in Navajo communities that arise due to the location of the Navajo Nation in those states;

F. provide the means for a formal government-to-government relationship between the state and New Mexico tribes and the development of relationships with the education division of the bureau of Indian affairs and other entities that serve American Indian students;

G. provide the means for a relationship between the state and urban American Indian community members to participate in initiatives and educational decisions related to American Indian students residing in urban areas;

H. ensure that parents; tribal departments of education; community-based organizations; the department of education [public education department]; universities; and tribal, state and local policymakers work together to find ways to improve educational opportunities for American Indian students;

I. ensure that tribes are notified of all curricula development for their approval and support;

J. encourage an agreement regarding the alignment of the bureau of Indian affairs and state assessment programs so that comparable information is provided to parents and tribes; and

K. encourage and foster parental involvement in the education of Indian students.

History: Laws 2003, ch. 151, § 2.

Bracketed material. — The bracketed material was inserted by the compiler and is not part of the law.

Laws 2004, ch. 25, § 27, provided that all references to the superintendent of public instruction shall be deemed references to the secretary of public education and all references to the former state board of education or state department of education shall be deemed references to the public education department. See 9-24-15 NMSA 1978.