Native Student Program

For students to be eligible for this program, there must be a 506 form on file in the Native Student Program office.

506 Form

Sample 506 Form

List of federally-recognized Tribes

It is important that families complete the form to the best of their ability. If unable to do so, the form may be considered incomplete and invalid. Please do not leave any section blank.

Form Instructions

• The student must be an enrolled member of a tribe, the child of an enrolled member, or the grandchild of an enrolled member to qualify. Great-grandchildren or further generations do not qualify.
• The tribe must be a federally- or state-recognized American Indian or Alaska Native tribe. This includes federally- and state-recognized tribes or bands that have been terminated since 1940.
• Everything on the form must be completed accurately by a parent or guardian. A district employee may not fill out missing information or make any corrections.
• Please make sure you have the correct date of birth, school name, and grade level.
• Name of Tribe, Band, or Group must be filled in.
• Please check only one of the following: Federally Recognized, State Recognized, Terminated, or Organized Indian Group.
• Name of individual with tribal membership (required)
  • If the person with membership is the student, write the student’s name.
  • If the person with the membership is the parent, write the parent’s name.
  • If the person with the membership is the grandparent, write the grandparent’s name.
  • Then check which individual with the membership is named.
  • Please do not write your child’s name down if your child is not currently enrolled.
• Proof of membership or enrollment number (if readily available). Important! This is now required information to the best of your ability.
• Please enter the tribal membership or enrollment number of the person enrolled.
  • If the student is enrolled, please write the student’s enrollment number.
  • If the parent is enrolled, please write the parent’s enrollment number.
  • If the grandparent is enrolled, please write the grandparent’s enrollment number.
  • OR Other (Explain): Please fill this section out if you do not have enrollment information.
  • If the person enrolled is deceased or estranged. Please do not guess if someone was enrolled, you must be sure.
  • If the child is adopted and specific information about enrollment is withheld for legal purposes.
  • If you or your child is enrolled, but the enrollment information is currently lost and needs to be replaced.
• Name and address of organization maintaining membership is required. Please fill this out to the best of your ability. If you only know the name of the tribe, city, and state of the organization, please write this down.
• You must sign and date! An unsigned form is considered invalid.
• Please include your mailing address and telephone number.

Title III Native American is a federally-funded program that provides eligible, academically at-risk Native American/Alaskan Native students supplementary literacy and language development support services. Laura Bowman is the Title III Native American Paraeducator. You can contact her at lbowman@nthurston.k12.wa.us.

What services are offered?

Services include academic support, cultural projects, school supplies, literacy support, college field trips, family nights, Native American books for school & home literacy, and training for staff on the unique academic and cultural needs of Native American students.

Who is eligible?

Any student who is self-identified as Native American in our records. Documented tribal affiliation is not a requirement. Students are identified for risk by the Smarted Balanced Assessment (SBA) or EasyCBM scores. Students can also be referred by families or school staff.

What happens if my student is identified?

• A notification letter is mailed home explaining the identification and testing process. If you don't wish for your student to participate, you can opt out at this time.
• Once accepted, the student will be tested using the ELPA21 (English Language Proficiency Assessment) screener. Results are mailed to families.
• The ELPA21 test is administered annually to monitor progress. Students who improve can test out of the program.

My student speaks English, Why are they a part of a multilingual program?

Title III Native American falls under Title III Multilingual Learners, but is not an English learning program. It is an academic program. The student will work directly with the Title III Native American paraeducator and will not be placed in a Multilingual Learner class.

I was notified, but our family is not Native American. What do I do?

NTPS is required to offer services based on our district records. If your race or ethnicity form filled out upon registration lists "Other/Native American" your student can be eligible. Update your race or ethnicity on record by contacting the Native Student Program office.