CARNEGIE, Okla. (KSWO) – The Kiowa Tribe has plans for a charter school, but Vice President Jacob Tsoti said they first need to determine community interest.
“Well, right now we're creating a discussion,” Zotig said. “We introduced this topic to move toward providing a needs assessment to the community to see how supportive parents are of charter schools, because if they're going to send their kids to a charter school; Because it's important that parents buy into that idea.''We're a charter school, so we're talking about it, but we're still in the beginning stages. ”
He says they want the school because their culture and traditions are not taught in public schools.
Ramon Granado is a language and culture teacher and a member of the Kiowa tribe. He says establishing a charter school could offer classes in the Kiowa language, among other things.
“Language is most needed because it allows us to identify who we are, and if we cannot distinguish who we are to the larger society, we will We're going to be faced with sovereignty questions about how much we can differentiate ourselves from everyday Americans, and that's through our language,” Granado said.
Representatives from the Kiowa Education Agency also spoke about the possibility of a merger.
“Establishing charter schools is not out of the question,” Jonah Beartrack said. “Emerging schools are not out of the question, because this is the beginning of our Kiowa education journey. We are very open about planning, and charter schools are on the planning agenda if they serve our community. It was on the table.'' Best way. “
This is all in the early stages.
As Kiowa education officials look for solutions, they say they will push for stronger partnerships with public schools to help Kiowa students succeed, no matter where they attend school.
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