The Billings Gazette continues its special report on Indian education on reservations in Montana.

Today's stories look at the impact of elders and basketball coaches at a school on the Crow Reservation. During the summer, the Crow Agency School offers a special class in tribal values and customs.

Dora Rides Horse, 72, and several other elders volunteered this past summer. She passes on Crow language and customs to a growing group of students.

This summer, the school also held its first basketball camp. More than 420 applications were submitted, nearly twice the expected number. Next summer, participation will be tied to attendance in hopes of encouraging students to stay in school.

Another story looks at the high turnover of teachers at reservation schools. The Northern Cheyenne Reservation experiences a 15-20 percent turnover, said a superintendent. The Crow Reservation sees a 40 percent turnover.

Get the Story:
Elders, basketball coaches help impart values (The Billings Gazette 8/24)
Teachers come and go, but many stay (The Billings Gazette 8/24)

Relevant Links:
Big Horn Teacher Projects - http://www.msubillings.edu/bighornteacherproj
Montana Indian Education Association - http://www.mtiea.org
Montana Office of Public Instruction - http://www.opi.state.mt.us

Related Stories:
Cultural emphasis at Montana reservation schools (8/23)
Paper runs special report on Indian education (8/22)
Indian educators in Montana question use of money (8/15)
Conference addresses Indian Education for All Act (8/10)
Warriors in education dig deep into tribal culture (07/11)
Teachers to spend week at Northern Cheyenne (06/21)
Maps help tell history of Montana's tribes (6/15)
Educators seek ways to keep Crow language alive (6/14)
Educators gather for Indian conference in Billings (6/13)
Use of $1.3M Indian education money questioned (6/1)
Opinion: Long overdue honor for Montana's Indians (02/03)
Editorial: Indian education plan a good first step (10/14)
Changes sought to help Indian students in Montana (08/31)
Editorial: Native children not getting best education (08/23)
Montana reservation schools fare poorly on NCLB (08/19)
Opinion: Indian education benefits all Montanans (07/14)
Montana finally provides funds for Indian education (6/20)
Editorial: Indian education will benefit all students (05/09)
Montana Indian Education Association conference (04/05)
Funding for Montana Indian education rejected (3/31)
Montana Indian education bill set for another vote (3/28)
Bill boosting Indian education funding advances (3/25)
Funding for Indian education called inadequate (3/24)
Funding for Indian education in Montana slashed (3/14)
Indian lawmakers to play big role in education (01/24)
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Montana group proposes $23M for Indian education (12/07)
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Indian education summit underway in Montana (10/15)
Montana panel approves Indian education plan (08/17)
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