Montana Code 20-7-1402. Legislative findings — purposes
20-7-1402. Legislative findings — purposes. (1) The legislature finds that:
Terms Used In Montana Code 20-7-1402
- Indian language: means any of the languages of a federally recognized Indian tribe in Montana. See Montana Code 20-7-1403
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
- System: means the Montana university system. See Montana Code 20-1-101
(a)language in the form of spoken, written, or sign language is foundational to cultural integrity;
(b)Montana tribal languages are in a time of crisis through the loss of native speakers, writers, and signers;
(c)achievement gaps persist for Indian students, including higher dropout rates;
(d)Article X, section 1, of the Montana constitution established the educational goals of:
(i)establishing an education system that develops the full educational potential of each person; and
(ii)preserving Indian cultural integrity.
(2)The purpose of this part is to promote innovative, culturally relevant, Indian language immersion programs for Indian and non-Indian students with the goal of raising student achievement, strengthening families, and preserving and perpetuating Indian language and culture throughout Indian country and Montana.