Canku Ota

(Many Paths)

An Online Newsletter Celebrating Native America

November 29, 2003 - Issue 101

School News

gathered by Vicki Lockard

The information here will include items of interest for and about Native American schools.
If you have news to share, please let us know!
I can be reached by emailing: Vlockard@aol.com

U. grant seeking to attract Indians to the teaching profession

A year after receiving federal money to train American Indian and Alaskan Indian students to become teachers, the University of Utah has a new $1.3 million federal grant to continue the program.

Spurred by the overwhelming response to its American Indian Teacher Training Program and the progress of the 12 students who received scholarships last summer, the U. will recruit 12 more to begin the program next summer.

Applicants must be of American Indian or Alaskan Indian descent, according to U.S. Department of Education guidelines.

The department also stipulates that Title VII money -- federal funds targeted specifically for Indian education -- is to be used to prepare undergraduate students and, next year, master's degree students to become instructors in math, science and reading.

"Children in American Indian communities need the most help in reading, math and science," said Bryan McKinley Brayboy, an assistant professor in the U. Department of Education and author of both grant applications. "Our program will train teachers in these areas."

The scholarship -- which covers tuition, books, health insurance, use of a laptop computer and a $1,000-$1,500 monthly stipend for living expenses -- allows recipients to focus primarily on studies.

Applications due Feb. 1

• Send them to Bryan McKinley Brayboy, U. of U. Department of Education, Culture & Society, 1705 E. Campus Center Drive, Room 307, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9256.
• For more information on the teacher training program for American Indians, call (801) 581-4145 or (801) 587-7811.