Following are some of those questions with reasons that show why tribes must be given the responsibility. Under current federal law, tribes can control tribal schools and some aspects of federal schools. Under current federal law, tribes have poorly defined rights with state public schools. Tribes may have some input, but tribes have no final decision-making authority. Even without current federal rights, tribes feel a major responsibility for their children's education.
Tribes know that their children are their future.
As sovereign governments, tribes have a special responsibility to perpetuate their cultures, their resources, and their lands. Tribal children must have the best education possible to prepare for their own future and to ensure each tribe a future as a people. Many reports and statistics show that the state and federal governments have failed miserably in Indian education. Tribes want to improve Indian student performance. Tribes want to make formal education relevant to the needs of their children and their tribal communities.