Click here for a print-out overview of Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Tribal Consultation and School Accountability.

What:

Tribal consultation, required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), is a formal process between tribal leaders and school districts that serve Alaska Native or American Indian students.

Who:

This consultation process is required of any district that received a Federal Title VI grant (subpart 1 of Part A) that exceeds $40,000 in the previous fiscal year, or with a school or district with an enrollment of Alaska Native or American Indian student population of at least 50 percent. (Yukon Koyukuk Does not receive Title VI, Part A, subpart 1 funds or have 50 percent of its student population Alaska Native due to its distance education program). Yukon Koyukuk School District understands the importance of meaningful consultation and is committed to meeting this need and will continue with meaningful consultation.

Why:

This consultation process creates opportunities for school districts and tribal leaders to work together to meet the needs of Alaska’s Native students. Consultation allows affected school districts to gather input from tribal organizations, fostering collaboration that is a critical part of improving academic outcomes for Alaska Native students.

How:

Affected school districts must ensure meaningful consultation with tribes before submitting plans or applications on the following:  

• Title I, Part A (Improving Basic Programs Operated by State and Local Educational Agencies)

• Title I, Part C (Education of Migratory Children)

• Title I, Part D (Prevention and Intervention Programs for Children and Youth who are Neglected, Delinquent, or At-Risk)

• Title II, Part A (Supporting Effective Instruction)

• Title III, Part A (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act)

• Title IV, Part A (Student Support & Academic Enrichment Grants)

• Title IV, Part B (21st Century Community Learning Centers)

• Title V, Part B, subpart 2 (Rural and Low-Income School Program)

• Title VI, Part A, subpart 1 (Indian Education Formula Grants to Local Educational Agencies) Meaningful consultation is defined as an opportunity to provide input and feedback to the school district on plans for any covered program. Consultation must be done "in a manner and in such time that provides an opportunity for such appropriate officials from Indian tribes or tribal organizations to meaningfully and substantively contribute.

When:

A school district should consider providing a list of issues or questions on which the school district seeks input, or provide draft plans for this purpose, in advance of the consultation and before it makes a final decision on significant and substantive issues related to the content of the plans. Consultation required under Section 8538 shall not interfere with timely submission of the plans or application

Accountability Overview for Alaskan Schools 

Beginning October 23, 2018, all schools in Alaska will be given a School Designation as a result of its performance on several indicators which are listed below. Yukon Koyukuk is working hard with all of the indicators to ensure success for all students.

Alaska’s ESSA School Accountability Indicators

1. Academic achievement

2. Student growth

3. Graduation rate

4. English learner progress toward E language proficiency

5. Chronic absenteeism

6. Grade 3 English Language Proficiency

ESSA School Designations

Every school in Alaska will receive a designation of either Comprehensive Support, Targeted Support, or Universal Support.

1. Comprehensive Support - CSI - lower 5% of Title I schools or grad rate below 66.67% or TSI for the same subgroup for 3 years in a row.

2. Targeted Support - TSI - Schools with any subgroups performing at level of CSI schools

3. Universal Support - All other schools that aren't CSI or TSI

Please click the links below to view past meeting agendas and information.

Yukon-Koyukuk School District ESEA District Plan ESEA District Plan

Statutory language governing tribal consultation with the list of which programs are covered by the requirement. 

Tribal Consultation - Section 8538 of ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965)

U.S. Department of Education Dear Colleague on Tribal Consultation: 

ESSA FAQ Tribal Consultation Guidance September 26, 2016   

(Note that all of the Department's ESSA regulations issued under the previous Administration have been negated, so references to those should be ignored.)

National Indian Education Association Consultation Guides:View National Indian Education Association website

Midwest Comprehensive Center - Tribal Consultation under ESSA: A Guide for Tribal Leaders and Communities.

Education Northwest - Recommendations for Making Consultation with Tribes Meaningful, Respectful and Sustainable.