Montana Code 20-1-503. Indian education for all
20-1-503. Indian education for all. (1) Pursuant to this part and 20-9-329 and the definition of basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools under 20-9-309, the board of trustees of a school district shall require that all certified personnel and all students receive instruction in American Indian studies.
Terms Used In Montana Code 20-1-503
- American Indian studies: means instruction pertaining to the history, traditions, customs, values, beliefs, ethics, language, and contemporary affairs of American Indians, particularly Indian tribal groups in Montana. See Montana Code 20-1-502
- Board of public education: means the board created by Article X, section 9, subsection (3), of the Montana constitution and 2-15-1507. See Montana Code 20-1-101
- district: means the territory, regardless of county boundaries, organized under the provisions of this title to provide public educational services under the jurisdiction of the trustees prescribed by this title. See Montana Code 20-6-101
- Instruction: means :
(a)a formal course of study or class, developed with the advice and assistance of Indian people, that is offered separately or that is integrated into existing accreditation standards by a unit of the university system or by an accredited tribal community college located in Montana, including a teacher education program within the university system or a tribal community college located in Montana, or by the board of trustees of a school district;
(b)inservice training developed by the superintendent of public instruction in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to school districts;
(c)inservice training provided by a local board of trustees of a school district, which is developed and conducted in cooperation with tribal education departments, tribal community colleges, or other recognized Indian education resource specialists; or
(d)inservice training developed by professional education organizations or associations in cooperation with educators of Indian descent and made available to all certified and classified personnel. See Montana Code 20-1-502
- school: means an institution for the teaching of children that is established and maintained under the laws of the state of Montana at public expense. See Montana Code 20-6-501
- System: means the Montana university system. See Montana Code 20-1-101
- Trustees: means the governing board of a district. See Montana Code 20-1-101
(2)Members of boards of trustees and all noncertified personnel in public school districts are encouraged to satisfy the requirements for instruction in American Indian studies.
(3)(a) Pursuant to Article X, section 1(2), of the Montana constitution, 20-1-501, 20-7-101, and 20-9-309, the board of public education shall incorporate the distinct and unique cultural heritage of Montana American Indians in the content standards that schools must implement as a requirement for school accreditation.
(b)The superintendent shall include representatives of Montana Indian tribes on negotiated rulemaking committees formed pursuant to 20-7-101 addressing the development or revision of content standards under subsection (3)(a).