A consortium of school districts in Lane County is strategizing how to improve achievement levels of Native American students. 

Native students have one of the highest drop-out rates of any minority group in Oregon.  Each year districts apply for federal grants to provide supplemental educational and cultural programming for these students.  Bethel, Creswell, Crow, Fern Ridge, Junction City, Lowell, Pleasant Hill and South Lane have combined their Indian Ed programs and on Tuesday night accepted public comment on their goals for the coming year.

Debbie Bernhard of Pleasant Hill spoke at the meeting.

“I would like to see a very strong mentoring program.  I would like to see some career paths in not just the traditional business and consumer driven careers.  I’d like to see shadowing in area that have to do with creative arts or performing arts.”

Organizers hope the new grant will fund at least two tutors, in addition to cultural classes and programs.  The districts will host a Pow Wow at Elmira High School on February 6^th.