Title VI Indian Education Program Overview
Purpose of Program
The Clovis Unified School District Indian Education Program addresses the needs of American Indian and Alaskan Native students in grades K-12. The program assists eligible students to achieve at the same challenging state performance standards expected of all students.  The purpose of the Title VI program in Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is to support the efforts of local educational agencies, Indian tribes and organizations, post secondary institutions, and other entities to meet the special academic, cultural, and linguistic needs of American Indian students to meet state academic content standards.

The goals of our program are listed as follows:

Provide services to assist American Indian students in meeting the District’s student academic content and performance standards.

Ensure that American Indian students participate in their school’s Federal, State and local programs as needed.

Provide program recruitment activities and family liaison services to meet the culturally related academic needs of American Indian students.

Provide professional development opportunities to ensure that staff are properly trained and prepared to do work with American Indian Students.

During the 2022-2023 school year Clovis Unified School District is serving over 513 Native American Students.  Funding from our Title VI Formula Grant during 2022-2023 school year was $149,981.  Clovis Unified was able to provide Instructional Aides and/or certificated teachers to deliver targeted instruction to our students at 44 school sites.  In addition, funds were used to purchase instructional materials and Native American Literature Books. Each year, Clovis Unified School District receives Title VI Indian Education Funds.  The funds are designed to meet and support the special educational and culturally related academic needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives, so that such students can achieve to the same challenging State performance standards expected by all students. Applicants for the grants from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) have to compete for limited funds.  The Formula Grant is submitted in two parts.  Applications submitted must address all required information in order to be funded.  Part I of the application consists of the LEAs Indian Student Count total.  If Part I is submitted by the closing date, the LEA will receive an application for Part II in which Clovis Unified will describe the performance of students in our school system, identify our program objectives, and provide details on the budget for the Clovis Unified program.  For more information please call your child’s school.  You may also contact The Supplemental Services Office at 327-0670.  

Eligibility of Students:
Each student enrolled in the Indian Education Program is required to complete and submit a Title VI Student Eligibility Certification, 506 Form.  This form will be maintained at the Indian Education Office of Supplemental Services. Information on the certification form will not be released without written approval from the parent or guardian.  You may obtain a 506 Form from any school site, or from the Supplemental Services Office.  It is also available in a link at the top right side of this page.

Eligible students include Native Americans who are:
• A member of an Indian tribe or band, (including those Indian tribes or bands terminated since 1940 and those recognized by the State in which the tribe or band resides).
• Descended in the first or second degree (parent or grandparent as described).
• Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an Indian, Eskimo or Aleut.

Academic Services:
The Indian Education Program grant supplements the regular school program by helping Indian students sharpen their academic skills, assisting students in becoming proficient in the core content areas, and providing students an opportunity to participate in enrichment programs that otherwise would be unavailable.  Academic assistance, tutoring, after school programs, dropout prevention, parent/teacher consultations, and monitoring of student grades and attendance.  Your child may qualify for tutoring in academics if they are working below grade level. They must have a 506 Form on file in Supplemental Services. For more information please contact your child’s school.

Indian Education Program Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC):
The program is guided by the Indian Education Program Parent Advisory Committee (IPAC), comprised of: American Indian and Alaskan Native parents or guardians, District teachers and Administration.  The IPAC is responsible for advising the district to ensure effective school programs and services are provided for Native American students.  The IPAC meets throughout the year to discuss program issues, services provided, and other needs related to achievement of our Native American students. According to the Bylaws, Members of IPAC serve on the committee for two years.  All Meetings are held at the CUSD Professional Learning Center at 362 N Clovis Ave., Suite 101, Clovis, CA 93612. 

Annual Parent Needs Assessment:
Annually, Clovis Unified conducts a Needs Assessment.  This assessment is sent to the parent or guardian of each Native American Student in our program.  We ask parents to complete the Needs Assessment to help the district and the Indian Education Parent Advisory Committee better plan the program.  The feedback, input, and ideas help to provide valuable information as we work to provide the services needed by our students.  Such an assessment requires using records in which information and data can be disaggregated by student population, as well as collaborating with families and other community members to determine needs and set priorities for services to provide constant program improvement.

Cultural Enrichment:
In addition to supporting academics, these activities encourage students to maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay in school, and prepare for a successful future.  Annually, the Supplemental Services Department hosts the Native American Family Night. Families come to enjoy a real sense of community and togetherness.  Each year, we have activities and entertainment themed in Native American culture and tradition. The 10th Annual Family Night was held on March 16, 2023.  This years theme was "Art as a Reflection of Culture" featuring local artist Bobby Von Martin of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.

Closing Thoughts As They Relate to Serving Native American Students in Clovis Unified Schools:
As we grow and change, Clovis Unified remains committed to three organizational aims: maximizing student achievement, ensuring a safe and positive learning environment where CHARACTER COUNTS! and operating with increasing efficiency and effectiveness for all of our students.  Underlying our aims are core beliefs that spur decision-making in our district.  However, in this time of rapid change, one thing remains the same – the power of knowledge to change a child’s life. A high quality teacher who cares about kids, a community that supports schools and leaders who plan for the future still make the difference in the lives of each student in our schools.

Come, visit our schools, and see what makes Clovis Unified a unique and special place to raise children.  We are truly a school district that educates our students in “mind, body and spirit”!
Clovis Unified School District is committed to serving our Native American Indian students to their fullest potential.  We are committed to supporting high-quality and comprehensive programs for our Native American Indian students.  We work collaboratively with sites to encourage all students and their families to actively participate in all aspects of the CUSD Program.  Activities and programs include athletics, performing arts, academic events, student government, and community involvement opportunities.  A significant number of our students participate in an articulated program with the intermediate and high schools and encourage the development of an articulated music program K-12.

In addition, we encourage parents to take an active role in participating in our schools by serving on a variety of school and district committees.  These committees encourage valuable input and ideas on the status of our schools and the service to students.  CUSD enjoys a rich tradition of high parent involvement and participation from all segments of our community.  Parent Committee includes District SART, Parent Teacher Clubs, Site Councils, ELAC and DELAC Committees, Intercultural Advisory Council (IDAC), and various cultural clubs at the secondary levels

Related Resources:

California Department of Education Indian Education Program
American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) Data and Links