The Bureau of Indian Affairs developed language and literacy standards for schools serving American Indian students, based on the draft national language arts standards developed by the National Council of Teachers of English. Standards for grades K-4 list abilities and knowledge that Indian students should have by the end of the fourth grade with regard to listening and speaking skills in English and a Native language, reading ability and strategies, locating information, familiarity with children's literature with Indian themes, understanding the significance of Indian languages, writing skills, and knowledge of historic forms of Native writing and record keeping. Standards for grades 5-12 list areas in which American Indian students should show growth and increasing sophistication, including English and Native language literacies, oral and written communication skills, critical awareness of various perspectives in oral communication and historical and fictional literature, literature appreciation, knowledge of language origins and structure, use of technological forms of communication, creative writing, use of multiple information resources, and application of Native language and experience in school learning. (SV)