The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah Restoration Act (1980) restored federal recognition of the tribe after a quarter century of ambiguous political status, and resulted in significant improvements of educational status of tribal members and intensification of the political presence of Southern Paiutes. Following the Paiute Indian Termination Act (1954), 15,000 acres of tribal lands were sold; the Paiutes suffered poverty, decreased education, and health problems. After restoration, a predominantly new Tribal Council was elected and a tribal goal of improving educational quality was set. By 1982, the median grade completed by persons over 18 years had increased, and a cultural enrichment program had been established, featuring Paiute language instruction, arts and crafts, and daily academic tutoring. The dropout rate decreased from 40% to 3%, and mothers reported that their children were doing better in school and were more interested in learning. College enrollment of tribal members also increased, with an average student age of 25.6 years indicating that a long-accumulated backlog of educational deficiencies was being remedied. The Council also planned to acquire lands equivalent to those lost after termination, and to provide jobs and revenue for community development projects. Traditional Paiute land tenure ideals hold that buying and selling of aboriginal claims are granting and revocation of use rights only. (MH)