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Washington, DC: In response to the teacher strike unfolding in Oklahoma, NIEA President Dr. Jolene Bowman released the following statement:

“All students deserve a quality education regardless of what state they reside in. In the state of Oklahoma, over 100,000 Native students attend public schools. It is clear that the state government has failed to adequately fund the public education system for many years. Stop gap measures to cut funding have been implemented within the state, some districts have reduced the school week to four-days. These measures jeopardize the educational attainment of our students, increase pressure on resource strapped teachers, and place new hardships on families. Years of neglect have undermined education for students and teachers must now stand up for themselves and their students.

With their strike, Oklahoma educators are demanding the state fulfills its’ responsibility and fully fund public schools and provide raises to educators. Funding for textbooks, supplies, and professional development are critical and are necessary to create positive, culturally-responsive learning environments where students can be inspired and thrive.

When teachers do not have the resources and support they need, Native students and all students suffer.”

The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) stands with the teachers who are fighting, not only for themselves but also for the students they serve, by demanding the state of Oklahoma supports a high quality, rigorous, and fully-funded education system.

About The National Indian Education Association (NIEA):

NIEA is the Nation’s most inclusive advocacy organization advancing comprehensive culture-based educational opportunities for American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Formed by Native educators in 1969 to encourage a national discourse on education, NIEA adheres to the organization’s founding principles- to convene educators to explore ways to improve schools and the educational systems serving Native children; to promote the maintenance and continued development of language and cultural programs; and to develop and implement strategies for influencing local, state, and federal policy and decision makers. For more information visit www.niea.org.