Tribal Resource & Distance Learning Centers

VISION

Educational Excellence:  The Nimiipuu Way to Workforce Development

To serve Tribally determined goals consistent with the policy of self-determination to prepare native workers for the 21st century.

GOALS

The goals of this program under the Tribal Education department are:

• Maintain 5-year agreement with Northwest Indian College (NWIC) for period July 2003 to June 2008;

• Maintain principle of P.L. 102-477 for program integration of education, training and related service to increase effectiveness and efficiency of tribal service;

• Maintain existing and secure new partnerships with private and public entities to support tribal vision to reduce joblessness and poverty.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The design of the tribal service found in this program is to assist the local labor force with a pathway leading to employability to our regional labor market.  Enrollment of participants into the program is based on an individual assessment of knowledge, skill or ability; and/or level to need to engage in an employability plan resulting in a positive outcomes(s): 1) enter employment or complete an education/training objective.

Basic enrollment eligibility requirements are: 1) Age, 14 and over; 2) Residence, on or near Nez Perce Reservation; 3) Indian, enrolled member of a U.S. federally recognized Tribe; and 4)an pen enrollment to any community ember, native or non-native is found under partnerships with college and university systems for the first three pathways.

The pathways are:

• Adult Basic Education/General Education Development (ABE/GED).  To assist high school dropouts with completion of the 12th grade or high school equivalency.

• Developmental Education.  To improve basic skills deficiency (ies) in reading, writing and math subjects to satisfy knowledge requirement for college level learning or pre-employment testing.

• 1st - 2nd Year College Experience.  Offer a one year certificate or two year academic associates degree native studies or native education program with Northwest Indian College; and includes coursework transferring to a vocational or academic study at local university/college.

The NWIC associate degree completion is transferrable to LCSC, UI and all Washington State colleges.  Enrollment options are: less than part-time (5 credits or less); part-time (6-8 credits); 3/4 time (9-11 credits); and full-time (12 + credits).  The class schedule caters to the working adult offering both real time and independent learning courses.

This program uses technology for simultaneous audio and visual communication between Kamiah and Lapwai using an interactive video conferencing system, and on-line learning management system (WebCT) to reach a wider student audience and community.

• Vocational-Technical Training.  Partial scholarship support to students pursuing occupational skills training programs to prepare for employment entry into local labor market.

• Subsidized work program.  A program for youth demonstrating challenges to overcome social/economic conditions to meet employability demands of the local labor market.

• Support to enter labor market.  A program for active job seekers demonstrating financial need for assistance to obtain work related item to satisfy employer criteria i.e. work took, dress code.

• Related activities or topics offered by this program or in partnership with local agency (ies) are: Academic Advising, Tutorial Support, Admissions testing, Financial Aid Assistance, Scholarship information, Computer time i.e. prepare resume, cover letters, FAFSA filing, job or scholarship search, keyboarding drills, college research, Vocational exploration/guidance, Information about local labor market, Entrepreneurial Awareness.

STAFF

• Kay Kidder, Director

• Gabrielle Moses, Program Technician

• Rochelle Troyano, Instructor

• Evelyn Carter, Instructor

• Phill Allen, NWIC Recruiter/Adviser

• Work Study Student Support:  Rudy Shebala, Stephanie Lawyer, Leona Tsinajinnie, Edna George, John Strombeck and Helen Strombeck.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

The program completed an annual report for period 10-01-03 to 09-30-04, and submitted to the lead federal agency, U.S. Department of the Interior working in partnership with federal agency, U.S. Department of the Interior working in partnership with federal agencies of Labor and Health & Human Service.

Significant finding of the annual performance report for the academic calendar of 2003-2004 or ending FY04 on, September 30, 2004:

• Total enrollment into a program pathways described above: 182.  Adults (22 and over) 114,  Youth (14-21) 49,  Welfare Recipient 19 (adult and youth)

• Ending FY04, the program:  Maintained (71) enrollments to FY05. Terminated (111) enrollments.  Adults 67.  Youth  32.  Welfare 12.

• Results of Enrollment Terminated Positive Outcomes Met:  Employment 33,  Education/Training 70,  Misc. Objective Achieved 8.  Note:  Zero (0) Non-Positive Terminations Reported for FY04.

• Leveraging Resource/Partnerships $84,200 from formal/informal cash and in-kind contributions

• NWIC Student Completion Rates of Enrollments Terminated Ending Academic Calendar 2003-2004.  Adults - Course Completion = 70%, Grade Point = 2.63.  Youth - Course Completion = 49%, Grade Point = 1.34.  Welfare - Course Completion = 49%, Grade Point = 2.64

• NWIC Student Completion Rates.  Students Continuing to Academic Calendar 2004-2006.  Course Completion Rate 79%, Grade Point Average 3.24.

• ABE/GED Basic Skills Performance.  The following scores are represented in terms of "Grade Equivalency".  I.e.  10.4 is 10th Grade/4th Month for students pursuing high school equivalency.  10.9 is a satisfactory progress level for referral to Official GED Test exam.

Enrollments Terminated

ADULTS    Pre-test    Post-test

Reading    10.4    11.0

Math     7.1     9.0

Writing    7.6    10.0

Average Time Spent in ABE/GED:  45.7 hours

YOUTH

Reading    7.7    10.5

Math       7.4    7.9

Writing    6.0     11.1

Average Time Spent in ABE/GED: 17.9 hours

WELFARE RECIPIENT

Reading    8.2    10.3

Math       6.9    9.9

Writing    7.5    10.1

Average Time Spent in ABE/GED: 12.8 hours

Following is a summary of pre-test scores of potential students terminating individual ABE/GED study plan resulting in no post-test score to validate improvement in subject area.