What can a study of Indigenous-language immersion (ILI) teach us to improve education practice and outcomes for Native American learners?
In this mutli-institutional project funded by the Spencer Foundation, our goal is to illuminate how, when, for whom, and why ILI may be beneficial. The study will significantly advance our understanding of the factors that contribute to improved quality of education practice for underserved Native American students.
This study’s rationale stems from rapid changes in Native American students’ sociolinguistic environments, coupled with enduring educational disparities for Native American students as a group. The study will support Indigenous communities in strengthening their language education efforts, and will help us imagine how educators, community members and policymakers can collaboratively capitalize on linguistic and cultural diversity to enhance education for all learners.