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To: Superintendents, Charter School Leaders, Principals, Curriculum Directors, K-12 Public Information Officers
From: Dr. Charlene Williams, Director and April Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Office of Indian Education
Date: November 12, 2024
Re: Tribal History/Shared History Lesson Plans and Implementation
Dear Education Leaders,
This is a reminder from Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Office of Indian Education (OIE) regarding compliance with Senate Bill 13, now known as Tribal History/Shared History (TH/SH).
Overview of Senate Bill 13
Enacted in 2017, ORS 329.493 mandated the inclusion of K-12 Native American curriculum in Oregon public schools and required professional development for educators. Additionally, it provided resources to the nine federally recognized tribes of Oregon to develop place-based curriculum. You can view the full text of the legislation here: ORS 329.493.
Lesson Plans and Implementation
Since 2017, ODE has developed several lesson plans in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades, and continues to expand lessons for all grades (K-12). To comply with the mandate, districts must implement a minimum of one lesson in five content areas, totaling five lessons per grade level in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. We invite you to be a co-learner in this curriculum and participate in our upcoming Community of Practice. Details will be shared within the Office of Indian Education Newsletter for November.
Lesson plans and resources can be found by visiting the ODE Tribal History/Shared History website: ODE TH/SH Resources. Here, you will find materials for 4th, 8th, and 10th grades. Lessons are aligned with Common Core State Standards, have recommended differentiated learning techniques, are designed to fit into a variety of instructional time blocks, and include instructions for teachers. Each lesson is also aligned with one or more Essential Understandings of Native Americans in Oregon which were developed in partnership with the Tribes. The website also includes place-based curriculum designed by Tribes. All lessons are designed to be used as provided and should not be modified.
In addition to the curriculum resources, ODE is committed to supporting educators through professional development opportunities. ODE offers asynchronous modules on the nine Essential Understandings for free, using the iLearn platform. These trainings are designed to equip teachers with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively deliver the TH/SH lesson plans. We also encourage districts to access the Tribal Educator Toolkit for information to help facilitate implementation of the lesson plans. The OIE is making progress with development of new professional learning that centers around TH/SH lesson implementation strategies. Additionally, a Community of Practice (COP) is under development and more information will be provided later this year.
Tribal-Specific Place-Based Lesson Plans
Tribal-specific, place-based lesson plans are being developed by the Tribes, with some already completed and others still in progress. Many of these lessons are available as additional resources for districts near or adjacent to tribal homelands. We encourage the integration of lesson plans from the Tribes to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tribal history and culture which will enrich the educational experience for all students. A list of these local, place-based lessons can be accessed here: Tribal-Specific Lessons.
Best Practices
Every district should identify a Tribal History/Shared History liaison, director, or team to elevate the lessons and curriculum implementation. At the Office of Indian Education, we are eager to partner with you and will be highlighting districts who exemplify TH/SH implementation.
Contact Information
For more information, questions, or requests, please contact Brent Spencer, Indian Education Coordinator and member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Mr. Spencer is ready to support your district in the implementation of Tribal History / Shared History and you can connect with him by emailing directly: brent.spencer@ode.oregon.gov or via his cell at (971) 240-2910.
Thank you for your dedication to this work and for helping to create an inclusive and impactful educational environment for all students.
Dr. Williams, Director
April Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Office of Indian Education
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