After the release of the The Condition of Education for Members of Oregon's Indian Tribes in January 2013, a study from the Chalkboard Project, the Government to Government Education Cluster (comprised of representatives from each of the nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon) created a Policy Option Package (POP) to solicit state funding to reduce chronic absenteeism of American Indian/Alaska Native students. The study revealed if you were an American Indian/Alaska Native student nearly one-third (33%) in all grades were chronically absent (missing 10% or more of school days). While all other students are at less than one-fifth (19%) chronically absent.
The Oregon legislature set aside funds for the 2021-2023 biennium to operate TAPP projects focused on supporting the attendance of Native students in nine preselected Oregon school districts. TAPP will enable participating districts to receive up to $186,530.55 for their Family Advocate position, which has deep local connections, to create school-wide initiatives focused on reducing chronic absenteeism.
The intent of the collaboration is to strengthen the links between Oregon Tribes and the schools that serve any student identifying as American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN) , even if the student is not a member of a federally recognized tribe. TAPP differs from Title VI programs in that fundamental way. However, because this is a school-wide initiative, it will positively impact the attendance of every student attending TAPP schools.
TAPP is proud to announce our newest partnership with the Salem-Keizer School District. This will be our first urban TAPP site, providing a TAPP Family Advocate to help Native students reduce chronic absenteeism and succeed in their academic goals.
TAPP Sites
TAPP School Districts and their Partnering Tribe
South Umpqua School District & Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians
Coos Bay School District NO. 9 & Coquille Indian Tribe
North Bend School District & Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians
Lincoln County School District & Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Willamina School Distict & Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde
Salem-Keizer School District & Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Jefferson County School District 509J & Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Pendleton County School District 3 & Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Harney County School District 3 & Burns Paiute Tribe
Klamath County School District & Klamath Tribes
OIE TAPP 2022 Fall Site Visit
Fall Comprehensive Report
*TAPP Best Practices in the report can be found on pg. 33-44
2021-2022 TAPP Training (Archive)
Our 2021-2022 TAPP Training was a success. We enjoyed the presentations shared by three inspiring guest speakers. You may access materials and view the recorded training below: