History

 The Association of Community Tribal Schools was incorporated in February 1982 as the Association of Contract/Tribal Schools.  The organizers were representatives from schools controlled by Indian communities under PL 93-638, which allowed Tribes and communities to contract with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to run schools.  The primary purpose was to “promote the advancement of Indian controlled quality education.”

Until 1970 there was little or no input from Indian communities into the operation of Bureau of Indian Affairs Schools.  At that time “advisory” school boards were set up.  Also in the late 60’s and early 70’s initial efforts at Indian control began at schools such as Rough Rock (a demonstration school) and St. Francis (a mission school transferred to BIA funding).  Indian controlled schools founded the Coalition of Indian Controlled School Boards for schools that wished to become Indian controlled.  The Coalition provided networking, training, technical assistance and worked on Congressional bills, which would make it easier for Indian Tribes and communities to control the education of their young.  The Indian Education Act of 1972 provided support for early control efforts.  In 1975, the PL 93-638, the Indians Self-Determination Act, not only provided a mechanism for that control. But stated that the government had failed in Indian Education and that Indians needed to be given a chance to make their own education work.

 

In the late 1970’s, the Coalition disbanded because of lack of financial support.  It had become dependent on Federal programs that were not necessarily in tune with its mission and were competitive from year to year.

 

In January 1982 a meeting of Contract schools was held in Denver where the need for a new organization of contract schools was discussed and plans formulated.  The organization was called the Association of Contract/Tribal Schools and the purpose were set as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A – advocacy

C – communication

T – technical assistance

S – service

 

 

On March 31 – April 2, 1982, 87 delegates from Indian controlled schools and Tribal education programs attended the organizational conference in Reno, Nevada.  The Board of Directors was elected, bylaws established and objectives outlined.

 

Since that time ACTS has had 14 national conferences and numerous regional meetings to provide School Board training and address issues.

 

In July of 1986 ACTS was awarded 501 © 3 nonprofit status by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

In 1987 ACTS changed its name to the Association of Community Tribal Schools since it had helped develop a new law, PL 100 – 297, which allowed Indian communities to assume greater control of their schools through a grants process.