To provide resources needed to study and review Native American language medium schools and programs.

SA 2240. Mr. SCHATZ (for himself, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Daines)
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 2089
submitted by Mr. Alexander (for himself and Mrs. Murray) to the bill S.
1177, to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965
to ensure that every child achieves; which was ordered to lie on the
table; as follows:

At the end of the bill, add the following:

SEC. 1020__. REPORT ON NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE MEDIUM
EDUCATION.

(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to authorize a
study to evaluate all levels of education being provided
primarily through the medium of Native languages and to
require a report of the findings, within the context of the
findings, purposes, and provisions of the Native American
Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901), the findings, purposes, and
provisions of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), and other related laws.
(b) Study and Review.--The Secretary of Education shall
award grants to eligible entities to study and review Native
language medium schools and programs.
(c) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term
``eligible entity'' means a consortium that--
(1) includes not less than 3 units of an institution of
higher education, such as a department, center, or college,
that has significant experience--
(A) and expertise in Native American or Alaska Native
languages, and Native language medium education; and
(B) in outreach and collaboration with Native communities;
(2) has within its membership at least 10 years of
experience--
(A) addressing a range of Native American or Alaska Native
languages and indigenous language medium education issues
through the lens of Native studies, linguistics, and
education; and
(B) working in close association with a variety of schools
and programs taught predominantly through the medium of a
Native language;
(3) includes for each of American Indians, Alaska Natives,
and Native Hawaiians, at least 1 unit of an institution of
higher education that focuses on schools that serve such
populations; and
(4) includes Native American scholars and staff who are
fluent in Native American languages.
(d) Applications.--An eligible entity that desires to
receive a grant under this section shall submit an
application to the Secretary of Education that--
(1) identifies 1 unit in the consortium that is the lead
unit of the consortium for the study, reporting, and funding
purposes;
(2) includes letters of verification of participation from
the top internal administrators of each unit in the
consortium;
(3) includes a brief description of how the consortium
meets the eligibility qualifications under subsection (c);
(4) describes the work proposed to carry out the purpose of
this section; and
(5) provides other information as requested by the
Secretary of Education.
(e) Scope of Study.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section shall use the grant funds to study
and review Native American language medium schools and
programs and evaluate the components, policies, and practices
of successful Native language medium schools and programs and
how the students who enroll in them do over the long term,
including--
(1) the level of expertise in educational pedagogy, Native
language fluency, and experience of the principal, teachers,
paraprofessionals, and other educational staff;
(2) how such schools and programs are using Native
languages to provide instruction in reading, language arts,
mathematics, science, and, as applicable, other core academic
subjects;
(3) how such school and programs' curricula incorporates
the relevant Native culture of the students;
(4) how such schools and programs assess the academic
proficiency of the students, including--
(A) whether the school administers assessments of language
arts, mathematics, science, and other academic subjects in
the Native language of instruction;
(B) whether the school administers assessments of language
arts, mathematics, science, and other academic subjects in
English; and
(C) how the standards measured by the assessments in the
Native language of instruction and in English compare;
(5) the academic, graduation rate, and other outcomes of
students who have completed the highest grade taught
primarily through such schools or programs, including, when
available, college attendance rates compared with
demographically similar students who did not attend a school
in which the language of instruction was a Native language;
and
(6) other appropriate information consistent with the
purpose of this section.
(f) Other Entities.--An eligible entity may enter into a
contract with another individual, entity, or organization to
assist in carrying out research necessary to fulfill the
purpose of this section.
(g) Recommendations.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, an eligible entity that
receives a grant under this section shall--
(1) develop a detailed statement of findings and
conclusions regarding the study completed under subsection
(e), including recommendations for such legislative and
administrative actions as the eligible entity considers to be
appropriate; and
(2) submit a report setting forth the findings and
conclusions, including recommendations, described in
paragraph (1) to each of the following:
(A) The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate.
(B) The Committee on Education and the Workforce of the
House of Representatives.
(C) The Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate.

[[Page S5068]]

(D) The Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and Alaska Native
Affairs of the House of Representatives.
(E) The Secretary of Education.
(F) The Secretary of the Interior.
______