PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota legislature passed a bill this year that would require the Board of Regents to develop programs to encourage and retain students from the nine recognized tribes in the state.

Regents President Kevin Schieffer says it has been a priority for some time.

Schieffer says they are seeing growth in the high school age population.

Schieffer says most of that is coming from minority populations.

The bill requires the Regents to report progress in the efforts each year, starting in July of next year.