Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.78, subdivision 1, states that a school district in which there are 10 or more American Indian students enrolled and each American Indian school must establish an American Indian education parent advisory committee. Commonly referred to as American Indian Parent Advisory Committees (AIPACs), these committees serve in an advisory role and help ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. These committees are critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students statewide, and offer a valuable opportunity to strengthen district and parent partnerships.
Bdote’s American Indian Parent Advisory Committee must be comprised primarily of parents/guardians of American Indian students within our district. American Indian district staff are also eligible to serve on the committee, as are American Indian community members. While non-Native district staff may participate in the Family Committee meetings, they are not permitted to be committee members, and should not be included on the Bdote Family Committee roster. District staff should not outnumber committee members at meetings.
AIPACs serve in an advisory role to the district, and help to ensure that American Indian students are receiving culturally relevant and equitable educational opportunities. AIPACs are critical to the achievement and success of American Indian students statewide, and their presence, input, and knowledge is key to strengthening district and parent partnerships. For the AIPAC to make informed decisions, the district must afford the committee the information and data needed to make sound recommendations. This information includes, but is not limited to, testing data, attendance data, graduation rates, and student count information.
To enhance the district and AIPAC partnership, the Office of American Indian Education encourages the use of the self-assessment rubric (see Resources below). This resource is a valuable tool that can be used to evaluate current services to American Indian students and their families, and it should be used collaboratively to ensure the unique academic and culturally related needs of American Indian students are met.
Prior to March 1 of each year, the AIPAC must meet to discuss whether or not they concur with the educational offerings that have been extended by the district to American Indian students. If the AIPAC finds that the district and/or school board have been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of concurrence. If they find that the district and/or school board have not been meeting the needs of American Indian students, they issue a vote and resolution of nonconcurrence.
The vote is reflected formally on documentation provided by the OAIE (see Resources below). The vote and resolution must be presented to the school board by one or more members of the AIPAC. If the vote is one of nonconcurrence, the AIPAC must also provide written recommendations for improvement to the school board at the time of the presentation. The school board does not “approve” the resolution. They receive the information and it is reflected within the board minutes. In the case of nonconcurrence, the school board is given 60 days in which to respond, in writing, to the AIPAC recommendations. The board response must be signed by the entire school board and be provided to the AIPAC and submitted to the Office of American Indian Education.
January
February
Due on March 1
1/4
All meetings occur MONTHLY on the FIRST THURSDAY of each month AT 5:30-8:00 PM, as follows:
November 3rd, 2022
December 1st, 2022
January 5th, 2023 (CANCELLED)
February 2nd, 2023
March 2nd, 2023
March 9th, 2023 (Ballot OPEN at 5:00)
March 16th, 2023 (Ballot Closed at 5:00)
April 13th, 2023
May 4th, 2023
June 1st, 2023
Committee members will begin drafting and implementing bylaws after the committee nominees receive parent/guardian approval votes and when positions are appointed within the committee.
Authorized by Innovative Quality Schools iqsmn.org
Luli Axhijaj (651) 234-0900 laxhijaj@iqsmn.org
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