Local education agencies (LEAs) that receive Title IX formula grants are required to develop comprehensive plans to meet the culturally related academic needs of American Indian students and to promote their achievement of high academic standards. This report analyzes and assesses the quality of the comprehensive plans submitted by Title IX grantees in 1995-96 (the first year of the requirement). A detailed review was conducted of 138 of the approximately 1,300 Title IX formula grant applications submitted in 1995-96. Information was also gathered through telephone interviews with representatives of local and state education agencies, state and national Indian education organizations, and former Indian Education Technical Assistance Centers. Almost half of the applications failed to mention a comprehensive plan. Over half did not refer to content and performance standards; coordination among federal, state, and local programs; and plans to assess the performance of all American Indian students (not just project participants). About half did not relate Indian education goals to those of other state and local plans, and did not refer to professional development. Almost half did not mention plans to share student assessment results with the community. Findings are outlined on the LEAs' planned activities in the following areas: meeting the culturally related academic needs of Indian students; professional development; aligning goals with those of other improvement plans and with state and local standards; program coordination; performance goals and benchmarks; student assessment; and communication to parents and community. Examples demonstrate how some projects are fulfilling Title IX expectations in each area. Suggestions for improving Title IX comprehensive plans focus on technical assistance, agency cooperation, and broadened participation in planning. (SV)