Senate approves new approach to Native American education

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PIERRE – Applause broke out in the Senate on Wednesday afternoon after that chamber unanimously approved SB66, a bill to create Oceti Sakowin community based schools.

SB66, a 25-section bill, sets the criteria for schools designed to immerse American Indian students in their language and culture.

“We want rigor,” said the bill’s main sponsor, Sen. Troy Heinert, D-Mission. “We want success, but that success should be defined on our terms.”

Heinert said one community had a 50% dropout rate for the past 15 years.

“Many of our kids do not know their place in this world,” Heinert said. “We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result.”

Sen. Wayne Steinhauer, R-Hartford, said he reviewed the coursework that the schools would use.

“There is specific criteria at every grade level,” Steinhauer said. “This is a disciplined approach.”

The bill was approved on a vote of 35-0 and now goes to the House.