This brief provides an overview of inequity and barriers to Native student academic success and ways to address them. It also reviews how gifted and talented programs and advanced placement courses have impacted Native students. As many tribal communities live in rural areas, this brief further discusses education and career awareness for those areas and reviews career pathways beyond locally available options. The National Comprehensive Center's American Indian and Alaska Native Education Project developed this brief to positively impact the learning lives of Native children and youth. It is meant to enhance the effectiveness of state education agencies' work on Native education. It is one of six briefs based on thematic categories from interviews with a panel of experts in the field of American Indian and Alaska Native education to help determine current needs and interests in the field. The six categories included: (1) Native culture and language; (2) College and career readiness and access; (3) Tribal consultation and sovereignty; (4) Physical and behavioral health; (5) Teachers and leaders; and (6) Promising programs and practices.