This report is one of a series of reports produced by a research partnership supported by Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL) involving researchers, teachers, local administrators, and state education and tribal officials. The partnership is engaged in a long-term research project that includes reviewing research and related literature on effective standards-based practices for American Indian and Alaska Native students, supporting professional development in research for American Indian educators through an intern and visiting scholar program, and establishing and maintaining a core group of partners to help direct and implement relevant and rigorous research for improving the educational outcomes of American Indian students. Current efforts focus on effective teaching practices for American Indian students in North Dakota. However, McREL plans to expand its partnership to include schools and educators from South Dakota and other Great Plains states.