SOUTH DAKOTA EDUCATION EQUITY COALITION

THE SOUTH DAKOTA EDUCATION EQUITY COALITION (SDEEC) EXISTS TO EMPOWER INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES TO EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS IN ORDER TO CLOSE ACHIEVEMENT GAPS AND PROVIDE MORE CULTURALLY RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIGENOUS KIDS. WE PRODUCE RESEARCH, PROVIDE TRAINING, CONDUCT POLICY ANALYSIS, AND CONVENE OUR PARTNERS AND ALLIES TO ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS AND ADVANCE OUR MISSION. - SDEEC STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN AND COMPLETED A FOUR-WEEK SUMMER SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM THAT FEATURED CLASSROOM TRAINING AND A VARIETY OF FIELD TRIPS. THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROGRAM WERE: O INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO THE CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LEADERSHIP.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O) O PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. O ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS SOCIAL ISSUES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS. O FOSTER TEAMWORK, COLLABORATION, AND EMPATHY AMONG PARTICIPANTS. O INSPIRE A SENSE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY.WE BELIEVE AN IMPORTANT ROOT CAUSE IN THE EDUCATION OUTCOME DISPARITY BETWEEN INDIGENOUS STUDENTS AND OTHER STUDENTS IN SOUTH DAKOTA IS THE LACK OF FORMAL CONSULTATION BETWEEN THE PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM IN OUR STATE AND TRIBAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS FROM THE NINE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS ROOT CAUSE, WE WORKED TO DEVELOP AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR A FIRST OF ITS KIND TRIBAL ACCORD TO SUPPORT THE IMPROVEMENT OF INDIGENOUS EDUCATION IN OUR STATE. WE CONVENED OUR PARTNERS, ALLIES, AND SUPPORTERS. WE ALSO PROVIDED TRAININGS FOR OUR PARTNERS AND ALLIES. THUS FAR, WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THE FOLLOWING: - RESEARCHED FORMAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN TRIBES AND STATES IN OUR REGION. WE USED THAT RESEARCH TO DRAFT A UNIQUE TRIBAL ACCORD FOR THE TRIBES IN OUR STATE. - BRIEFED THE GREAT PLAINS TRIBAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS, INCORPORATING THEIR FEEDBACK INTO THE TRIBAL ACCORD. - EARNED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FOR THE ACCORD FROM ALL TRIBAL EDUCATION DIRECTORS. - EARNED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM ALL NINE TRIBAL EDUCATION COMMITTEES. - EARNED UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM ALL NINE FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES IN SOUTH DAKOTA. - CONVENED OUR PARTNERS VIRTUALLY EACH MONTH FOR TRAININGS, PRESENTATIONS, AND NETWORKING. - TRAINED DOZENS OF PEOPLE TO DELIVER PUBLIC TESTIMONY TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.