§7918 Consultation with Indian tribes and tribal organizations

Summary

Local school districts that serve many American Indian or Alaska Native students must talk with tribal leaders before they send required plans or applications for certain federal education programs. The talk must happen early enough and in a way that lets the tribe give real input. A district must keep a written note signed by the tribe’s officials saying the consultation happened and give that to the State. If the tribe’s officials don’t sign within a reasonable time, the district must send other proof that the consultation occurred. Consultation must not delay filing the plans. Definitions: "Affected local educational agency" = a school district with at least 50% American Indian or Alaska Native students, or one that received a grant over $40,000 in the prior year (for fiscal year 2017, under subpart 1 of part A of title VII as it existed the day before December 10, 2015; for later years, under subpart 1 of part A of subchapter VI). "Appropriate officials" = elected tribal officials, or appointed leaders or those the tribe names in writing for this consultation. The district is not required to decide who counts as the tribe’s officials, and it won’t be held responsible if the tribe later says the chosen officials were incorrect.