Assemblymember Ramos urges statewide reporting on Native American student outcomes in AB 1581

Assemblymember Ramos presented AB 1581 to require the Department of Education to report statewide outcome data for Native American students, saying federal guidelines currently lead to substantial undercounts that hinder effective resource allocation.

"Due to federal guidelines, California is undercounting almost 90% of its Native American students," Ramos said, arguing that an inclusive count would allow use of metrics such as graduation and suspension rates to inform policy.

Chad Mays testified on behalf of the bill sponsor (named in the transcript as a tribal band) and described the measure as focused on accurate data collection. "This bill is about something very simple. Making sure we have accurate data on Native American students in our schools," Mays said.

With no witnesses registering opposition, Senator Gonzales moved that the measure be returned to the Senate floor for consideration; the roll call recorded the committee recommendation in favor and clerks later reported the file item as moving out of committee.