Native Education Initiative (E.O. 14049)

Summary

Starts a White House group to fix learning problems and create better school and job chances for Native American students and Tribal schools.

What problem does this solve?

For a long time, government school rules hurt Native American families and created learning gaps, which got worse during COVID-19. This order creates a special group to work with Tribes to improve schools, protect Native languages, and create more job opportunities.

What does this order do?

Establishes a new White House Initiative

Creates the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Appoints leadership for the Initiative

Names the Secretaries of Education, Interior, and Labor as Co-Chairs of the Initiative, with an Executive Director to be chosen by the Secretary of Education.

Sets key policy goals

Directs the Initiative to improve data collection, support early childhood programs, increase access to good teachers, and remove barriers to federal funding for Tribal schools.

Requires federal agencies to create action plans

Mandates that each federal agency on the WHCNAA Education Committee develop a plan with measurable actions to help achieve the Initiative's goals.

Utilizes an existing advisory council

Designates the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) to serve as the advisory council for the new Initiative.

Revokes a previous executive order

Cancels and replaces Executive Order 13592 from 2011, which had a similar purpose, to implement this new, updated approach.

Who does this affect?

Native American students
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
Tribal Nations

What is the real world impact?

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Addresses historical injustices

Acknowledges and aims to correct the harm caused by past federal policies, like Indian boarding schools, which tried to erase Native cultures. The initiative seeks to heal this trauma by supporting culturally relevant education.

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Strengthens Tribal self-governance

Supports Tribal sovereignty by giving Tribal Nations more control over their educational systems and strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities. This helps build a skilled workforce within Tribal communities.

When does this start?

This order became effective on October 11, 2021, and includes several deadlines for federal agencies to take action.

Agency Agreements

Within 180 days of the order (by April 9, 2022), the Initiative must create agreements with the Bureau of Indian Education, Administration for Native Americans, and Indian Health Service.

Annual Report to the President

The Initiative's Co-Chairs must report to the President on their progress no later than one year after the order (by October 11, 2022), and every year after that.