Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act
The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act, S. 1948 was introduced on Jan 16, 2014. Its sponsor is Sen. Jon Tester . Cosponsors were Max Baucus , Mark Begich , Tim Johnson , Brian Schatz , Tom Udall , and Lisa Murkowski . The legislation "would establish a grant program to fund Native language educational programs."
The bill "cites reports from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and educational institutions 'that use primarily Native American languages to deliver education' and 'have indicated that students from these schools have generally had high school graduation and college attendance rates above the norm for their peers.'"
The bill "would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to provide increased federal financial support to Native American language programs at American Indian-focused schools." In 2015, the bill would provide $5 million in funding.
Support among Native Americans includes Oglala Sioux Tribal president Bryan Brewer and Rosebud Sioux Tribal president Cyril Scott. Congressional supporters include Senator John Walsh.
