Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 (II)
Sponsored By: Representative Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
Introduced
Summary
Per-pupil funding parity for Indian students. This bill would update the Indian School Equalization Formula (ISEF) and the Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP) to realign funding so Bureau of Indian Education and tribally controlled schools receive support that better matches state salary levels and school costs.
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- Would require the Secretary to update the ISEF within one year and ensure the formula provides sufficient funding to adequately support BIE-operated and tribally controlled schools' programs and operations.
- Would direct the Secretary to consider average state-by-state school staff salaries and to ensure the updated formula funds salaries at a rate commensurate with matching the highest salary quartile for comparable schools.
- Would build in special considerations for tribally controlled schools, schools with fewer than 100 students, and rural schools, and it would award Havasupai Elementary School an additional 12.5 Weighted Student Unit (WSU). The Secretary must also send Congress a report on the formula's adequacy and recommended changes.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More funding for tribal schools
If enacted, this bill would require the Interior Department to update the Indian School Equalization Formula within 1 year. The update would consider State-by-State average staff salaries (with attention to matching the highest quartile), add weights for tribally controlled, small (under 100 students), and rural schools, and give Havasupai Elementary School an extra 12.5 weighted student units. The Assistant Secretary would use the updated formula to calculate a ‘‘full funding’’ amount for operation and maintenance, include certain fixed costs (for example matching Department of Defense Education Activity salaries and applying Federal pay-rate increases for non-teacher tribal school employees), and adjust amounts for CPI-U changes through the prior November 30. The Department would be required to request full ISEP operation-and-maintenance funding starting the first fiscal year after the formula update and every year after. The Secretary must also report to Congress on whether the formula meets BIE and tribally controlled school needs and recommend changes.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
NM • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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