This section examines the participation of American Indians/Alaska Natives in public elementary and secondary schools, including those funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). These data form key indicators of access to educational opportunities. Elementary and secondary education provides knowledge, skills, and habits that prepare students for further learning. Differences in enrollment rates among racial/ethnic groups can provide information on patterns of access and participation, issues that are of national concern.

This section also examines the minority composition of schools that American Indians/Alaska Natives attend and of students served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Data on the racial/ethnic composition of children served by IDEA allow for comparisons of the rates at which children with special needs are identified and served by public schools.