Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act facts for kids
The Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act (also known as S. 1948) was a special idea introduced in the U.S. Senate on January 16, 2014. It was created to help support and save Native American languages. Senator Jon Tester from Montana was the main person who suggested this bill. Other senators like Max Baucus, Mark Begich, Tim Johnson, Brian Schatz, Tom Udall, and Lisa Murkowski also supported it.
What the Bill Aimed to Do
This bill wanted to change a very important law called the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. Its main goal was to give more money from the government to schools that focus on American Indian education. This money would specifically help programs that teach Native American languages. For example, in 2015, the bill planned to provide $5 million to these language programs. This kind of support helps keep these unique languages alive for future generations.
Who Supported This Important Bill
Many people and groups supported the Native Language Immersion Student Achievement Act. Leaders from Native American tribes were strong supporters. This included Bryan Brewer, who was the president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and Cyril Scott, the president of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. In the U.S. Congress, Senator John Walsh from Montana also showed his support for the bill. Their support showed how important it was to protect and teach Native languages.
See also
- Esther Martinez Native American Languages Preservation Act
- Language nest
- Language immersion
- Language education in the United States
- Less Commonly Taught Languages
- Indigenous languages of the Americas
