California bill seeks more accurate count of Native American students
Proposed legislation would allow Native American students in California schools to identify with multiple racial backgrounds while still being counted as Native American
Native American students in California may be undercounted by as much as 90% because of how schools collect racial and ethnic data, according to reporting by CalMatters. Under the current system, students who identify as both Native American and Hispanic are counted only as Hispanic, while Native students who identify with another race are categorized as “two or more races.” Assembly Bill 1581 would allow students to list tribal affiliation and identify as Native American alongside another race.
According to CalMatters, Assemblymember James Ramos, a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla Tribe, said the bill would help create a more accurate picture of Native American students in California schools. Advocates said a more accurate count could increase access to cultural services, tutoring and Native-centered curriculum. Celestina Castillo, a descendant of the Tohono O’odham Tribe, said the current system makes Native students feel invisible in schools.
- 1.Carolyn Jones. CalMatters, .
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