Title VI American Indian and Indigenous Education

American Indian & Indigenous Education Program

The American Indian & Indigenous Education Program is committed to supporting the academic success, cultural identity, and educational experiences of American Indian & Indigenous students.

We work to:

Meet the unique academic and culturally responsive needs of American Indian & Indigenous students so they are empowered to achieve and excel in meeting challenging academic standards.
Promote knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Native and Indigenous communities by providing opportunities to learn about Indigenous languages, tribal histories, traditions, cultures, and contemporary experiences. .
Build the capacity of educators and school leaders by providing teachers, administrators, and school staff with culturally responsive resources, professional learning, and support to effectively serve American Indian & Indigenous students.

Recognizing and Supporting Indigenous Student Identities

There are three student groups that the American Indian and Indigenous Education supports:

American Indian students who have tribal membership in a federally recognized tribe and qualify for Title VI services.
Students whose cultural and linguistic background includes American Indian/Alaska Native.
Students and families who identify as Indigenous, including those from Indigenous communities in North, Central, and South America, as well as Indigenous peoples from other parts of the world.

School demographic categories do not always fully represent the diverse identities, cultures, and communities of Indigenous students, including Indigenous Mesoamerican students and families.

The American Indian/Alaska Native and Indigenous Family Questionnaire (IFQ) gives families an opportunity to share their Indigenous heritage, cultural connections, and languages. This information helps LAUSD better understand and support the experiences and needs of Indigenous students and their families.

When families share information about their culture and language, schools can strengthen connections with students, provide culturally responsive support, and create learning environments where Indigenous identities are recognized, valued, and respected.

About the IFQ

The American Indian/Alaska Native and Indigenous Family Questionnaire allows families to share their Indigenous heritage, cultural connections, and languages.

Families may identify connections to American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and nations or Indigenous communities from Mexico, Central America, and other regions, including Zapotec, Mixtec, Maya, Purépecha, and Nahua communities.

Sharing this information helps LAUSD better understand and support Indigenous students and families and helps schools create learning environments where Indigenous identities, cultures, and languages are recognized, valued, and respected.

About the Title VI Indian Education Grant Program

About the Title VI Indian Grant Program

The Title VI Indian Education program is designed to help best meet the unique cultural, language, and educational needs of native youth.

Program Objectives:

Increase academic achievement
Increase knowledge of cultural identity and awareness
Increase school attendance rate
Increase graduation rate
Increase parent participation
Increase support for at-risk students

Who qualifies for Title VI services?

Children are eligible to receive services if they meet the definition of “American Indian” as defined in section 6151 of the ESEA and have completed the ED 506 Indian Student Eligibility Certification Form.

An American Indian, as defined in section 6151 of the ESEA, is an individual who is:

A member of an Indian Tribe or Band, as membership is defined by the Indian Tribe or Band, including any Tribe or Band terminated since 1940, and any Tribe or Band recognized by the State in which the Tribe or Band resides;
A descendant of a parent or grandparent who meets the requirements described in paragraph (1) of this definition;
Considered by the Secretary of the Interior to be an American Indian for any purpose;
An Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Native; or
A member of an organized Indian group that received a grant under the Indian Education Act of 1988 as it was in effect on October 19, 1994

If you think you qualify for Title VI services, please fill out the ED 506 Title VI Student Form (English) and either return it to your child's school or mail it to MMED, with proof of tribal enrollment.

Address:

Multilingual Multicultural Education Department,

Att: Title VI Program

333. S. Beaudry Ave,

Los Angeles, CA 90017

For School Staff

All forms (Family Questionnaire and ED 506 Form) must be submitted to MMED, Att: American Indian & Indigenous Education Program, Beaudry Building, 25th Floor

File the original form within the student’s CUM record
The form does NOT have to be completed each year of enrollment

The Guide to Completing the American Indian/Alaska Native, or Indigenous Family Questionnaire provides support to school personnel on how to complete the form.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Shape the Future of Our Native Youth! Join the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee!

Parent Membership Election Agenda

CLICK TO JOIN THE MEETING

Are you a parent, guardian, or family member of a Title VI student? We want your voice at the table! The American Indian Parent Committee plays a vital role in guiding our district’s Title VI Indian Education Program, ensuring our cultural, academic, and community initiatives truly reflect and support our students.

By joining the committee, you can help:

- Guide Cultural & Academic Programs: Share input on cultural events, workshops, tutoring, and educational resources.

- Advocate for Native Students: Voice community priorities and help strengthen equity and support across our schools.

- Direct Title VI Funding: Review and advise on the annual Title VI grant goals and budget.

Click on the flyer for details.

September 30th is National Day of Remembrance, Orange Shirt Day, and it is a day to bring awareness of children who were affected by Indian Boarding Schools.

Please join us in honoring those affected by Indian boarding schools and wear ORANGE on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

We invite you to explore the resources developed by the American Indian and Indigenous Education Program to learn more about Indian Boarding Schools in the United States, Canada, and California, and engage your school community in opportunities to raise awareness and learning.

Visit our resource to learn more

Educational Resources for Educators & families

Click on the image to access the instructional resources to learn about Indigenous histories, stories, and voices through videos, podcasts, lessons, and so much more!

Explore teacher-developed, standards-aligned lessons that elevate Indigenous voices, celebrate diverse perspectives, and support meaningful classroom learning.

(LAUSD Access Required)

Title VI American Indian and Indigenous Education Program Contact

Phone: 213-241-5582

Program Coordinator:

Karmin Mendoza Hidalgo, Email: [email protected]

Teacher Expert:

Dr. Elia R. Mahoney, Email: [email protected]

Gabrieleno Tongva Professional Development

Program Forms

ED 506 Indian Eligibility Form: This is for students who are enrolled or are descendants of a parent or grandparent enrolled in a federally recognized tribe.
American Indian & Indigenous Questionnaire/ Cuestionario para familias Nativo Americanos e Indígenas: Available in English and Spanish. For families of American Indian/Alaska Native and Indigenous students | Para padres de estudiantes Nativos Americanos/Nativos de Alaska e Indígenas.

All forms must be returned to the student's home school for submission.

Title VI American Indian Education Grant

Title VI American Indian Parent Committee

In an effort to engage parents and the community, we encourage your participation in the Title VI American Indian Parent Committee meetings. Any parent with a student enrolled in the Title VI Program is eligible to be a committee member. The parent committee advises, approves, and signs off on programs allocated for the American Indian Education Program within the yearly grant. Parents are our strongest advocates for change and growth of the AIEP by informing staff, administrators, and programs that serve their students on a daily basis.

First Wednesdays of the Month
5:00 pm

August 26, 2026

Tribal Consultation

Under section 8538 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as amended by the ESSA, all districts receiving Title VI Indian Education Grant Awards of more than $40,000, or who have a Native American student population of over 50 percent of total student enrollment, must engage in tribal consultation (ESEA section 1111(a)(1)(A)). Tribal consultation is required for additional applicable federal programs covered by ESSA, not solely Title VI – Indian Education.

Meeting Archives

Resources for College-Bound Students

See how California community colleges can help you achieve your goals. You can do great things with a college education! Visit ICanGoToCollege.com

NATIVE WAYS 2 COLLEGE (NW2C) is an exciting and ground-breaking new project specially designed to support middle school and high school Native American students in Los Angeles County to plan, prepare, and pursue pathways to higher education. Click on the NW2C icon to visit their website!

Resources for Tribal Citizens