Volume XXIII Number 10 July 25, 2003 HEADLINES 10th Annual Wellness Conference Accredited Schools Top Council Meeting A Deer in the Life at Billie Swamp Safari Student Incentive Awards Ceremony Courtney Gore Wins Title Get the ENTIRE Seminole Tribune today! Accredited Schools Top Council Meeting By Alexandra Frank HOLLYWOOD — On July 18th, the Seminole Tribe of Florida held a Regular Meeting of the Tribal Council at the Auditorium of the Tribal Office Complex. Education proved to be a crucial topic at this month's council meeting. Maria Rumbaitis explained the rules the Education Department adheres to regarding schools for Seminole students. First and foremost, schools must be accredited whether or not they are on or off the reservation. Teachers must be state certified or have a minimum Bachelor's Degree in the area they are teaching. Parents must choose from an approved list of schools before enrolling their children, the Education Department of the tribe may evaluate new schools. The Education Department reserves the right to approve or disapprove any accredited agency. Reviews take about one day to conduct. Even a child with special needs is handled with the same standards. A school can get accreditation through the Internet, but the Education Department does not accept these types of schools. Reservations with limited accessibility to private schools arrangements for special circumstances such as tutorial or remedial needs can and will be met. No child regardless of its situation will ever be unable to obtain an accredited education. Every attempt will be made to have a Seminole graduate with credits so that if they wish, college can be attainable. Some Seminole children have been discriminated against in the past due to poor grades or bad behavior. Council members want the Education Department to use every aspect in their program to ensure that no child if left out in their efforts to obtain a good education. Four resolutions were passed to give teeth to the effect Council and Education is seeking so as to give Seminole students a fighting chance for a positive future in education. Home · History · Culture · Tourism & Enterprises · Government · Services · Employment Copyright © MMIV Seminole Tribe of Florida 6300 Stirling Road Hollywood, Florida 33024 Phone: (800) 683-7800 URL: All questions/comments: tribune@semtribe.com Webmaster: webadmin@semtribe.com Web site maintained by Seminole Tribe of Florida