On April 6, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on four education bills. Two would authorize programs in BIE schools; two would change the structure of the bureaucracy or the funding stream that supports federally owned schools in Indian country.
On April 6, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs held a hearing on four education bills. Two would authorize programs in BIE schools; two would change the structure of the bureaucracy or the funding stream that supports federally owned schools in Indian country.
Senator Tester’s SAFETY Act (Safe Academic Environments for Tribal Youth, S. 2468) would set up a demonstration program that would allow tribes to cut bureaucratic red tape that surrounds the construction of BIE facilities. The bill also addresses tribal colleges and public schools that serve Native children. Senator Tester was joined on the bill by Senators Cantwell, Heinrich, and Franken.
Senators Tester and Schatz introduced the Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act, S. 2304 in November. The bill would set up a demonstration project that provides grants to tribes to support early childhood programs that integrate education and family support systems, and incorporate native languages and cultures as guided by the tribe. The demonstration project might supplement funds received for a Head Start, tribal school, or child care program. The demonstration project would emphasize and document the effectiveness of integration of the educational components with other family support services.
Senator McCain introduced S.2711, the Native American Education Opportunity Act, which would essentially establish a voucher program for BIE schools. Parents who wished to educate their children in a private school, an on-line school, or by home schooling, could receive reimbursement from an education savings account, funded by amounts made available for tribal schools in the students’ state. While grants for these additional opportunities might be recommendable, with assurances that the student receives an education of equivalent quality, removing the funds from tribal schools would further stress their capacity to serve their students.
Senator Barrasso, chair of the committee, introduced the RAISE Act , S. 2580, which would re-organize the Bureau of Indian Education, making it an independent agency under the Department of the Interior, instead a component part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs structure. The reorganization takes a few steps beyond the BIE’s current reorganization plans. Witnesses questioned whether the additional changes would increase or minimize bureaucratic hassles when dealing with the two agencies.
The frustration surrounding the repair and rebuilding of schools has already prompted major structural changes within the agencies. Previously, maintenance of the schools, plus their programs and staffing, were the business of the BIE, while construction of schools resided with the BIA. Under the new reorganization, all the authorities are under the BIE. This and other changes should enable more efficient action to meet the structural needs of the schools. Senator Barrasso and BIE officials will continue conversations on the appropriate structure for the two agencies.
Next steps: Committee approval of S. 2304 and S. 2468.
