Executive Order 13592
On December 2, 2011 President Obama signed Executive Order 13592, Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities (EO 13592). Highlighting President Obama’s education agenda, EO 13592 helps to provide American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students of all ages high quality education and career-building opportunities. This new Executive Order raises the bar to improve AI/AN early education programs, promotes excellence and drives the reform of elementary and secondary schools, and increases the expectations of TCU’s and the achievements of career-ready students. Specifically, EO 13592 facilitates increased access to and participation in federal programs where AI/AN students remain underserved.
The Tribal Leaders Taskforce and the Federal Interagency Working Group are established by EO 13592 and are comprised of individuals, executive branch departments, agencies, and offices, which work in conjunction to represent a broad spectrum of fields and programs impacting AI/AN. The Initiative, co-chaired by U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan and U.S. Department of Interior Ken Salazar, is housed within the U.S. Department of Education, and led by Executive Director William Mendoza. Additionally, the Initiative works collaboratively with the White House Office of Public Engagement and the designated Federal agencies to increase AI/AN participation in programs in education, commerce, business, health, human services, housing, environment, arts, agriculture, labor and employment, transportation, justice, veteran affairs, and economic and community development.
Executive Order 13592 replaces Executive Order 13270 (EO 13270). Signed by George W. Bush in 2002, EO 13270 ensured that the Nation’s commitment to educational excellence and opportunity extended to Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU’s). This Executive Order combated the development challenges endemic to reservation communities by fostering increased levels of human capital accumulation and enterprise development.