25 USC 2000 - Declaration of policy

Collapse to view only § 2000. Declaration of policy

§ 2000. Declaration of policy
§ 2001. Accreditation for the basic education of Indian children in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools
§ 2002. National criteria for home-living situations
§ 2003. Codification of regulations
§ 2004. School boundaries
§ 2005. Facilities construction
§ 2006. Bureau of Indian Affairs education functions
§ 2007. Allotment formula
§ 2008. Administrative cost grants
§ 2009. Division of Budget Analysis
§ 2010. Uniform direct funding and support
§ 2011. Policy for Indian control of Indian education
§ 2012. Indian education personnel
§ 2013. Computerized management information system
§ 2014. Recruitment of Indian educators
§ 2015. Annual report; audits
§ 2016. Rights of Indian students
§ 2017. Regulations
§ 2018. Regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking
§ 2019. Early childhood development program
§ 2020. Tribal departments or divisions of education
§ 2021. Definitions

§ 2000. Declaration of policy

Congress declares that the Federal Government has the sole responsibility for the operation and financial support of the Bureau of Indian Affairs funded school system that it has established on or near Indian reservations and Indian trust lands throughout the Nation for Indian children. It is the policy of the United States to fulfill the Federal Government’s unique and continuing trust relationship with and responsibility to the Indian people for the education of Indian children and for the operation and financial support of the Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded school system to work in full cooperation with tribes toward the goal of ensuring that the programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs-funded school system are of the highest quality and provide for the basic elementary and secondary educational needs of Indian children, including meeting the unique educational and cultural needs of those children.

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1120, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2007.)

§ 2001. Accreditation for the basic education of Indian children in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools

(a) Purpose; declarations of purpose

(1) Purpose

(2) Declarations of purpose

(b) Accreditation

(1) Deadline

(A) In generalNot later than 24 months after January 8, 2002, each Bureau-funded school shall, to the extent that necessary funds are provided, be a candidate for accreditation or be accredited—

(i) by a tribal accrediting body, if the accreditation standards of the tribal accrediting body have been accepted by formal action of the tribal governing body and such accreditation is acknowledged by a generally recognized State certification or regional accrediting agency;

(ii) by a regional accreditation agency;

(iii) by State accreditation standards for the State in which the Bureau-funded school is located; or

(iv) in the case of a Bureau-funded school that is located on a reservation that is located in more than one State, in accordance with the State accreditation standards of one State as selected by the tribal government.

(B) Feasibility studyNot later than 12 months after January 8, 2002, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education shall, in consultation with Indian tribes, Indian education organizations, and accrediting agencies, develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the desirability and feasibility of establishing a tribal accreditation agency that would—

(i) review and acknowledge the accreditation standards for Bureau-funded schools; and

(ii) establish accreditation procedures to facilitate the application, review of the standards and review processes, and recognition of qualified and credible tribal departments of education as accrediting bodies serving tribal schools.

(2) Determination of accreditation to be applied

(3) Assistance to school boards

(A) In general

(B) Entities through which assistance may be provided

(4) Application of current standards during accreditation

(5) Annual report on unaccredited schoolsNot later than 90 days after the end of each school year, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Indian Affairs, and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, a report concerning unaccredited Bureau-funded schools that—

(A) identifies those Bureau-funded schools that fail to be accredited or to be candidates for accreditation within the period provided for in paragraph (1);

(B) with respect to each Bureau-funded school identified under subparagraph (A), identifies the reasons that each such school is not accredited or a candidate for accreditation, as determined by the appropriate accreditation agency, and a description of any possible way in which to remedy such nonaccreditation; and

(C) with respect to each Bureau-funded school for which the reported reasons for the lack of accreditation under subparagraph (B) are a result of the school’s inadequate basic resources, contains information and funding requests for the full funding needed to provide such schools with accreditation, such funds if provided shall be applied to such unaccredited school under this paragraph.

(6) Opportunity to review and present evidence

(A) In generalPrior to including a Bureau-funded school in an annual report required under paragraph (5), the Secretary shall—

(i) ensure that the school has exhausted all administrative remedies provided by the accreditation agency; and

(ii) provide the school with an opportunity to review the data on which such inclusion is based.

(B) Provision of additional information

(7) School plan

(A) In generalNot later than 120 days after the date on which a school is included in an annual report under paragraph (5), the school shall develop a school plan, in consultation with interested parties including parents, school staff, the school board, and other outside experts (if appropriate), that shall be submitted to the Secretary for approval. The school plan shall cover a 3-year period and shall—

(i) incorporate strategies that address the specific issues that caused the school to fail to be accredited or fail to be a candidate for accreditation;

(ii) incorporate policies and practices concerning the school that have the greatest likelihood of ensuring that the school will obtain accreditation during the 3-year period beginning on the date on which the plan is implemented;

(iii) contain an assurance that the school will reserve the necessary funds, from the funds described in paragraph (3), for each fiscal year for the purpose of obtaining accreditation;

(iv) specify how the funds described in clause (iii) will be used to obtain accreditation;

(v) establish specific annual, objective goals for measuring continuous and significant progress made by the school in a manner that will ensure the accreditation of the school within the 3-year period described in clause (ii);

(vi) identify how the school will provide written notification about the lack of accreditation to the parents of each student enrolled in such school, in a format and, to the extent practicable, in a language the parents can understand; and

(vii) specify the responsibilities of the school board and any assistance to be provided by the Secretary under paragraph (3).

(B) Implementation

(i) establish a peer-review process to assist with the review of the plan; and

(ii) promptly review the school plan, work with the school as necessary, and approve the school plan if the plan meets the requirements of this paragraph.

(8) Corrective action

(A) DefinitionIn this subsection, the term “corrective action” means any action that—

(i) substantially and directly responds to—(I) the failure of a school to achieve accreditation; and(II) any underlying staffing, curriculum, or other programmatic problem in the school that contributed to the lack of accreditation; and

(ii) is designed to increase substantially the likelihood that the school will be accredited.

(B) Waiver

(i) is identified in the report described in paragraph (5)(C); and

(ii) fails to be accredited for reasons that are beyond the control of the school board, as determined by the Secretary, including, but not limited to—(I) a significant decline in financial resources;(II) the poor condition of facilities, vehicles, or other property; and(III) a natural disaster.

(i) annually review the progress of the school under the applicable school plan to determine whether the school is meeting, or making adequate progress toward achieving the goals described in paragraph (7)(A)(v) with respect to reaccreditation or becoming a candidate for accreditation;

(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (B), continue to provide assistance while implementing the school’s plan, and, if determined appropriate by the Secretary, take corrective action with respect to the school if it fails to be accredited at the end of the third full year immediately following the date that the school’s plan was first in effect under paragraph (7);

(iii) provide all students enrolled in a school that is eligible for a corrective action determination by the Secretary under clause (ii) with the option to transfer to another public or Bureau-funded school, including a public charter school, that is accredited;

(iv) promptly notify the parents of children enrolled in a school that is eligible for a corrective action determination by the Secretary under clause (ii) of the option to transfer their child to another public or Bureau-funded school; and

(v) provide, or pay for the provision of, transportation for each student described in clause (iii) to the school described in clause (iii) to which the student elects to be transferred to the extent funds are available, as determined by the tribal governing body.

(D) Failure of school plan of Bureau-operated schoolWith respect to a Bureau-operated school that fails to be accredited at the end of the third full year immediately following the date that the school’s plan was first in effect under paragraph (7), the Secretary may take one or more of the following corrective actions:

(i) Institute and fully implement actions suggested by the accrediting agency.

(ii) Consult with the tribe involved to determine the causes for the lack of accreditation including potential staffing and administrative changes that are or may be necessary.

(iii) Set aside a certain amount of funds that may only be used by the school to obtain accreditation.

(iv)(I) Provide the tribe with a 60-day period during which to determine whether the tribe desires to operate the school as a contract or grant school before meeting the accreditation requirements in section 5207(c) of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 1 at the beginning of the next school year following the determination to take corrective action. If the tribe agrees to operate the school as a contract or grant school, the tribe shall prepare a plan, pursuant to paragraph (7), for approval by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (7), to achieve accreditation.(II) If the tribe declines to assume control of the school, the Secretary, in consultation with the tribe, may contract with an outside entity, consistent with applicable law, or appoint a receiver or trustee to operate and administer the affairs of the school until the school is accredited. The outside entity, receiver, or trustee shall prepare a plan, pursuant to paragraph (7), for approval by the Secretary in accordance with paragraph (7).(III) Upon accreditation of the school, the Secretary shall allow the tribe to continue to operate the school as a grant or contract school, or if the school is being controlled by an outside entity, provide the tribe with the option to assume operation of the school as a contract school, in accordance with the Indian Self-Determination Act [25 U.S.C. 5321 et seq.], or as a grant school in accordance with the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 [25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.], at the beginning of the school year following the school year in which the school obtains accreditation. If the tribe declines, the Secretary may allow the outside entity, receiver, or trustee to continue the operation of the school or reassume control of the school.

(E) Failure of school plan of contract or grant school

(i) Corrective action

(ii) Outside entityIf the corrective action described in clause (i) does not result in accreditation of the school, the Secretary, in conjunction with the tribal governing body, may contract with an outside entity to operate the school in order to achieve accreditation of the school within 2 school years. Prior to entering into such a contract, the Secretary shall develop a proposal for such operation which shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:(I) The identification of one or more outside entities each of which has demonstrated to the Secretary its ability to develop a satisfactory plan for achieving accreditation and its willingness and availability to undertake such a plan.(II) A plan for implementing operation of the school by such an outside entity, including the methodology for oversight and evaluation of the performance of the outside entity by the Secretary and the tribe.

(iii) Proposal amendments

(iv) Accreditation

(v) Retrocede

(vi) Consistent

(F) Hearing

(9) Statutory construction

(10) Fiscal control and fund accounting standards

(1) In general

(2) Plan

(d) Closure or consolidation of schools

(1) In generalExcept as specifically required by law—

(A) no Bureau-funded school or dormitory operated on or after January 1, 1992, may be closed, consolidated, or transferred to another authority; and

(B) no program of such a school may be substantially curtailed except in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.

(2) ExceptionsThis subsection (other than this paragraph) shall not apply—

(A) in those cases in which the tribal governing body for a school, or the local school board concerned (if designated by the tribal governing body to act under this paragraph), requests the closure, consolidation, or substantial curtailment; or

(B) if a temporary closure, consolidation, or substantial curtailment is required by facility conditions that constitute an immediate hazard to health and safety.

(3) Regulations

(4) Notice

(A) In general

(B) Decision to close

(i) submitted promptly to the appropriate committees of Congress; and

(ii) published in the Federal Register.

(5) ReportThe Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, the affected tribe, and the designated school board, a report describing the process of the active consideration or review referred to in paragraph (4) that includes—

(A) a study of the impact of such action on the student population;

(B) a description of those students with particular educational and social needs;

(D) a description of the consultation conducted between the potential service provider, current service provider, parents, tribal representatives and the tribe or tribes involved, and the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs within the Bureau regarding such students.

(6) Limitation on certain actions

(7) Approval of Indian tribes

(e) Application for contracts or grants for non-Bureau-funded schools or expansion of Bureau-funded schools

(1) Review by Secretary

(A) Consideration of factors

(i) In generalThe Secretary shall consider only the factors described in subparagraph (B) in reviewing—(I) applications from any tribe for the awarding of a contract or grant for a school that is not a Bureau-funded school; and(II) applications from any tribe or school board of any Bureau-funded school for—(aa) a school which is not a Bureau-funded school; or(bb) the expansion of a Bureau-funded school which would increase the amount of funds received by the Indian tribe or school board under section 2007 of this title.

(ii) No denial based on geographic proximity

(B) FactorsWith respect to applications described in subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider the following factors relating to the program and services that are the subject of the application:

(i) The adequacy of the facilities or the potential to obtain or provide adequate facilities.

(ii) Geographic and demographic factors in the affected areas.

(iii) The adequacy of the applicant’s program plans or, in the case of a Bureau-funded school, of projected needs analysis done either by the tribe or the Bureau.

(iv) Geographic proximity of comparable public education.

(v) The stated needs of all affected parties, including students, families, tribal governments at both the central and local levels, and school organizations.

(vi) Adequacy and comparability of programs already available.

(vii) Consistency of available programs with tribal educational codes or tribal legislation on education.

(viii) The history and success of those services for the proposed population to be served, as determined from all factors, including standardized examination performance.

(2) Determination on application

(A) In general

(B) Failure to make determination

(3) Requirements for applications

(A) In generalNotwithstanding paragraph (2)(B), an application described in paragraph (1)(A) may be approved by the Secretary only if—

(i) the application has been approved by the tribal governing body of the students served by (or to be served by) the school or program that is the subject of the application; and

(ii) written evidence of such approval is submitted with the application.

(B) Included information

(4) Denial of applicationsIf the Secretary denies an application described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall—

(A) state the objections to the application in writing to the applicant not later than 180 days after the date the application is submitted to the Secretary;

(B) provide assistance to the applicant to overcome the stated objections;

(C) provide to the applicant a hearing on the record regarding the denial, under the same rules and regulations as apply under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.]; and

(D) provide to the applicant a notice of the applicant’s appeals rights and an opportunity to appeal the decision resulting from the hearing under subparagraph (D).

(5) Effective date of a subject application

(A) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in this paragraph, an action that is the subject of any application described in paragraph (1)(A) that is approved by the Secretary shall become effective—

(i) at the beginning of the academic year following the fiscal year in which the application is approved; or

(ii) at an earlier date determined by the Secretary.

(B) Applications deemed approvedIf an application is deemed to have been approved by the Secretary under paragraph (2)(B), the action that is the subject of the application shall become effective—

(i) on the date that is 18 months after the date on which the application is submitted to the Secretary; or

(ii) at an earlier date determined by the Secretary.

(6) Statutory construction

(f) Joint administration

(g) General use of funds

(h) Study on adequacy of funds and formulas

(1) Study

(2) Action

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1121, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2007; amended Pub. L. 109–54, title I, § 127, Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 525.)

§ 2002. National criteria for home-living situations

(a) Revision of standards

(1) In general

(2) Implementation

(3) Revision after establishment

(b) Implementation

(1) In general

(2) Components of plan

The plan described in paragraph (1) shall include—

(A) a statement of the relative needs of each Bureau-funded home-living (dormitory) school;

(B) projected future needs of each Bureau-funded home-living (dormitory) school;

(D) specific cost estimates for meeting each standard for each such school;

(E) aggregate cost estimates for bringing all such schools into compliance with the criteria established under this section; and

(F) specific timelines for bringing each school into compliance with such standards.

(d) Waiver

(1) In general

(2) Inappropriate standards

(A) In general

(B) Alternative standards

(e) Closure for failure to meet standards prohibited

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1122, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2018.)

§ 2003. Codification of regulations

(a) Part 32 of Title 25, Code of Federal Regulations

(b) Definition of regulation

(

§ 2004. School boundaries

(a) Establishment by Secretary

(b) Establishment by tribal body

(1) Notice

On or after July 1, 2001, no geographical attendance area shall be revised or established with respect to any Bureau-funded school unless the tribal governing body or the local school board concerned (if so designated by the tribal governing body) has been afforded—

(A) at least 6 months notice of the intention of the Bureau to revise or establish such attendance area; and

(B) the opportunity to propose alternative boundaries.

(2) Revision process

(3) Tribal resolution determination

(d) Funding restrictions

(1) In general

(2) Transportation

(e) Reservation as boundary

When there is only one Bureau-funded program located on an Indian reservation—

(1) the attendance area for the program shall be the boundaries (established by treaty, agreement, legislation, court decisions, or executive decisions and as accepted by the tribe) of the reservation served; and

(2) those students residing near the reservation shall also receive services from such program.

(f) Off-reservation home-living (dormitory) schools

(1) In general

(2) Coordination

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1124, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2019.)

§ 2005. Facilities construction

(a) National survey of facilities conditions

(1) In general

(2) Data and methodologiesIn preparing the national survey required under paragraph (1), the Government Accountability Office shall use the following data and methodologies:

(A) The existing Department of Defense formula for determining the condition and adequacy of Department of Defense facilities.

(B) Data related to conditions of Bureau-funded schools that has previously been compiled, collected, or secured from whatever source derived so long as the data are accurate, relevant, timely, and necessary to the survey.

(C) The methodologies of the American Institute of Architects, or other accredited and reputable architecture or engineering associations.

(3) Consultations

(A) In general

(B) Requests for information

(4) Submission

(5) Negotiated rulemaking committee

(A) In generalNot later than 6 months after the date on which the submission is made under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall establish a negotiated rulemaking committee pursuant to section 2018(b)(3) of this title. The negotiated rulemaking committee shall prepare and submit to the Secretary the following:

(i) A catalog of the condition of school facilities at all Bureau-funded schools that—(I) incorporates the findings from the Government Accountability Office study evaluating and comparing school systems of the Department of Defense and the Bureau of Indian Affairs;(II) rates such facilities with respect to the rate of deterioration and useful life of structures and major systems;(III) establishes a routine maintenance schedule for each facility;(IV) identifies the complementary educational facilities that do not exist but that are needed; and(V) makes projections on the amount of funds needed to keep each school viable, consistent with the accreditation standards required pursuant to this Act.

(ii) A school replacement and new construction report that determines replacement and new construction need, and a formula for the equitable distribution of funds to address such need, for Bureau-funded schools. Such formula shall utilize necessary factors in determining an equitable distribution of funds, including—(I) the size of school;(II) school enrollment;(III) the age of the school;(IV) the condition of the school;(V) environmental factors at the school; and(VI) school isolation.

(iii) A renovation repairs report that determines renovation need (major and minor), and a formula for the equitable distribution of funds to address such need, for Bureau-funded schools. Such report shall identify needed repairs or renovations with respect to a facility, or a part of a facility, or the grounds of the facility, to remedy a need based on disabilities access or health and safety changes to a facility. The formula developed shall utilize necessary factors in determining an equitable distribution of funds, including the factors described in clause (ii).

(B) Submission of reports

(6) Facilities information systems support database

(b) Compliance with health and safety standards

(1) In generalThe Secretary shall immediately begin to bring all schools, dormitories, and other Indian education-related facilities operated by the Bureau or under contract or grant with the Bureau, into compliance with—

(A) all applicable tribal, Federal, or State health and safety standards, whichever provides greater protection (except that the tribal standards to be applied shall be no greater than any otherwise applicable Federal or State standards);

(B)section 794 of title 29; and

(2) No termination requiredNothing in this subsection requires termination of the operations of any facility that—

(A) does not comply with the provisions and standards described in paragraph (1); and

(B) is in use on January 8, 2002.

(c) Compliance planAt the time that the annual budget request for Bureau educational services is presented, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a detailed plan to bring all facilities covered under subsection (a) into compliance with the standards referred to in that subsection that includes—

(1) detailed information on the status of each facility’s compliance with such standards;

(2) specific cost estimates for meeting such standards at each school; and

(3) specific timelines for bringing each school into compliance with such standards.

(d) Construction priorities

(1) System to establish priorities

(2) Long-term construction and replacement listIn addition to the plan submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary shall—

(A) not later than 18 months after January 8, 2002, establish a long-term construction and replacement list for all Bureau-funded schools;

(B) using the list prepared under subparagraph (A), propose a list for the orderly replacement of all Bureau-funded education-related facilities over a period of 40 years to enable planning and scheduling of budget requests;

(C) cause the list prepared under subparagraph (B) to be published in the Federal Register and allow a period of not less than 120 days for public comment;

(D) make such revisions to the list prepared under subparagraph (B) as are appropriate based on the comments received; and

(E) cause the final list to be published in the Federal Register.

(3) Effect on other list

(e) Hazardous condition at Bureau-funded school

(1) Closure, consolidation, or curtailment

(A) In general

(B) Designation of individual by tribeTo be designated by a tribe for purposes of subparagraph (A), an individual shall—

(i) be a licensed or certified facilities safety inspector;

(ii) have demonstrated experience in the inspection of facilities for health and safety purposes with respect to occupancy; or

(iii) have a significant educational background in the health and safety of facilities with respect to occupancy.

(D) Failure to concur

(E) Consideration by tribal governing body

(F) Agreement to close, consolidate, or curtail

(i) In general

(ii) Reopening of facility if no immediate hazard found to exist

(G) General closure reportIf a Bureau-funded school is temporarily closed or consolidated or the programs of a Bureau-funded school are temporarily substantially curtailed under this subsection and the Secretary determines that the closure, consolidation, or curtailment will exceed 1 year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress, the affected tribe, and the local school board, not later than 90 days after the date on which the closure, consolidation, or curtailment was initiated, a report that specifies—

(i) the reasons for such temporary action;

(ii) the actions the Secretary is taking to eliminate the conditions that constitute the hazard;

(iii) an estimated date by which the actions described in clause (ii) will be concluded; and

(iv) a plan for providing alternate education services for students enrolled at the school that is to be closed.

(2) Nonapplication of certain standards for temporary facility use

(A) Classroom activities

(B) Administrative activities

(i) with respect to a school that is to be closed for not more than 1 year, 3 months or less; and

(ii) with respect to a school that is to be closed for not less than 1 year, a time period determined appropriate by the Bureau.

(3) Treatment of closure

(4) Use of funds

(f) Funding requirement

(1) Distribution of funds

(2) Requirements for certain uses

(g) No reduction in Federal funding

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1125, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2021; amended Pub. L. 108–271, § 8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814.)

§ 2006. Bureau of Indian Affairs education functions

(a) Formulation and establishment of policy and procedure; supervision of programs and expenditures

(b) Direction and supervision of personnel operations

(1) In general

(2) Transfers

(d) Evaluation of programs; services and support functions; technical and coordinating assistance

Education personnel who are under the direction and supervision of the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs in accordance with subsection (b)(1) shall—

(1) monitor and evaluate Bureau education programs;

(2) provide all services and support functions for education programs with respect to personnel matters involving staffing actions and functions; and

(3) provide technical and coordinating assistance in areas such as procurement, contracting, budgeting, personnel, curriculum, and operation and maintenance of school facilities.

(e) Construction, improvement, operation, and maintenance of facilities

(1) Plan for construction

The Assistant Secretary shall submit as part of the annual budget a plan—

(A) for school facilities to be constructed under section 2005(c) of this title;

(B) for establishing priorities among projects and for the improvement and repair of educational facilities, which together shall form the basis for the distribution of appropriated funds; and

(2) Program for operation and maintenance

(A) Establishment

The Assistant Secretary shall establish a program, including the distribution of appropriated funds, for the operation and maintenance of education facilities. Such program shall include—

(i) a method of computing the amount necessary for each educational facility;

(ii) similar treatment of all Bureau-funded schools;

(iii) a notice of an allocation of appropriated funds from the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs directly to the education line officers and appropriate school officials;

(iv) a method for determining the need for, and priority of, facilities repair and maintenance projects, both major and minor (to be determined, through the conduct by the Assistant Secretary, of a series of meetings at the agency and area level with representatives of the Bureau-funded schools in those areas and agencies to receive comment on the lists and prioritization of such projects); and

(v) a system for the conduct of routine preventive maintenance.

(B) Local supervisors

(3) Implementation

(f) Acceptance of gifts and bequests

(1) Guidelines

(2) Monitoring and reports

Except as provided in paragraph (3), in a case in which a Bureau-operated education program is the beneficiary of such a gift or bequest, the Director shall—

(A) make provisions for monitoring use of the gift or bequest; and

(B) submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress that describes the amount and terms of such gift or bequest, the manner in which such gift or bequest shall be used, and any results achieved by such use.

(3) Exception

(g) Definition of functions

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1126, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2026.)

§ 2007. Allotment formula

(a) Factors considered; revision to reflect standards

(1) FormulaThe Secretary shall establish, by regulation adopted in accordance with section 2017 of this title, a formula for determining the minimum annual amount of funds necessary to sustain each Bureau-funded school. In establishing such formula, the Secretary shall consider—

(A) the number of eligible Indian students served and total student population of the school;

(B) special cost factors, such as—

(i) the isolation of the school;

(ii) the need for special staffing, transportation, or educational programs;

(iii) food and housing costs;

(iv) maintenance and repair costs associated with the physical condition of the educational facilities;

(v) special transportation and other costs of isolated and small schools;

(vi) the costs of home-living (dormitory) arrangements, where determined necessary by a tribal governing body or designated school board;

(vii) costs associated with greater lengths of service by education personnel;

(viii) the costs of therapeutic programs for students requiring such programs; and

(ix) special costs for gifted and talented students;

(C) the cost of providing academic services which are at least equivalent to those provided by public schools in the State in which the school is located;

(D) whether the available funding will enable the school involved to comply with the accreditation standards applicable to the school under section 2001 of this title; and

(E) such other relevant factors as the Secretary determines are appropriate.

(2) Revision of formula

(A) In general

(B) Review of formula

(b) Pro rata allotment

(1) Annual adjustmentFor fiscal year 2003, and for each subsequent fiscal year, the Secretary shall adjust the formula established under subsection (a) to ensure that the formula does the following:

(A) Uses a weighted unit of 1.2 for each eligible Indian student enrolled in the seventh and eighth grades of the school in considering the number of eligible Indian students served by the school.

(B) Considers a school with an enrollment of less than 50 eligible Indian students as having an average daily attendance of 50 eligible Indian students for purposes of implementing the adjustment factor for small schools.

(C) Takes into account the provision of residential services on less than a 9-month basis at a school when the school board and supervisor of the school determine that a less than 9-month basis will be implemented for the school year involved.

(D) Uses a weighted unit of 2.0 for each eligible Indian student that—

(i) is gifted and talented; and

(ii) is enrolled in the school on a full-time basis,

in considering the number of eligible Indian students served by the school.

(E) Uses a weighted unit of 0.25 for each eligible Indian student who is enrolled in a year-long credit course in an Indian or Native language as part of the regular curriculum of a school, in considering the number of eligible Indian students served by such school. The adjustment required under this subparagraph shall be used for such school after—

(i) the certification of the Indian or Native language curriculum by the school board of such school to the Secretary, together with an estimate of the number of full-time students expected to be enrolled in the curriculum in the second school year for which the certification is made; and

(ii) the funds appropriated for allotment under this section are designated by the appropriations Act appropriating such funds as the amount necessary to implement such adjustment at such school without reducing allotments made under this section to any school by virtue of such adjustment.

(2) Reservation of amount

(A) In generalFrom the funds allotted in accordance with the formula established under subsection (a) for each Bureau school, the local school board of such school may reserve an amount which does not exceed the greater of—

(i) $8,000; or

(ii) the lesser of—(I) $15,000; or(II) 1 percent of such allotted funds,

for school board activities for such school, including (notwithstanding any other provision of law) meeting expenses and the cost of membership in, and support of, organizations engaged in activities on behalf of Indian education.

(B) Training

(i) In general

(ii) Types of training

(iii) Recommendation

(d) Reservation of amount for emergencies

(1) In general

(2) Use of funds

(3) Availability of funds

(4) Report

(e) Supplemental appropriations

(f) Eligible Indian student definedIn this section, the term “eligible Indian student” means a student who—

(1) is a member of, or is at least one-fourth degree Indian blood descendant of a member of, a tribe that is eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau to Indians because of their status as Indians;

(2) resides on or near a reservation or meets the criteria for attendance at a Bureau off-reservation home-living school; and

(3) is enrolled in a Bureau-funded school.

(g) Tuition

(1) In general

(2) Attendance of non-Indian students at Bureau schoolsThe Secretary may permit the attendance at a Bureau school of a student who is not an eligible Indian student if—

(A) the Secretary determines that the student’s attendance will not adversely affect the school’s program for eligible Indian students because of cost, overcrowding, or violation of standards or accreditation;

(B) the school board consents;

(C) the student is a dependent of a Bureau, Indian Health Service, or tribal government employee who lives on or near the school site; or

(D) tuition is paid for the student that is not more than the tuition charged by the nearest public school district for out-of-district students and shall be in addition to the school’s allocation under this section.

(3) Attendance of non-Indian students at contract and grant schools

(h) Funds available without fiscal year limitation

(i) Students at Richfield dormitory, Richfield, Utah

(1) In general

(2) No administrative cost funds

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1127, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2028.)

§ 2008. Administrative cost grants

(a) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Administrative cost

(A) In generalThe term “administrative cost” means the cost of necessary administrative functions which—

(i) the tribe or tribal organization incurs as a result of operating a tribal elementary or secondary educational program;

(ii) are not customarily paid by comparable Bureau-operated programs out of direct program funds; and

(iii) are either—(I) normally provided for comparable Bureau programs by Federal officials using resources other than Bureau direct program funds; or(II) are otherwise required of tribal self-determination program operators by law or prudent management practice.

(B) InclusionsThe term “administrative cost” may include—

(i) contract or grant (or other agreement) administration;

(ii) executive, policy, and corporate leadership and decisionmaking;

(iii) program planning, development, and management;

(iv) fiscal, personnel, property, and procurement management;

(v) related office services and record keeping; and

(vi) costs of necessary insurance, auditing, legal, safety and security services.

(2) Bureau elementary and secondary functionsThe term “Bureau elementary and secondary functions” means—

(A) all functions funded at Bureau schools by the Office;

(B) all programs—

(i) funds for which are appropriated to other agencies of the Federal Government; and

(ii) which are administered for the benefit of Indians through Bureau schools; and

(C) all operation, maintenance, and repair funds for facilities and Government quarters used in the operation or support of elementary and secondary education functions for the benefit of Indians, from whatever source derived.

(3) Direct cost base

(A) In generalExcept as otherwise provided in subparagraph (B), the direct cost base of a tribe or tribal organization for the fiscal year is the aggregate direct cost program funding for all tribal elementary or secondary educational programs operated by the tribe or tribal organization during—

(i) the second fiscal year preceding such fiscal year; or

(ii) if such programs have not been operated by the tribe or tribal organization during the 2 preceding fiscal years, the first fiscal year preceding such fiscal year.

(B) Functions not previously operated

(4) Maximum base rate

(5) Minimum base rate

(6) Standard direct cost base

(7) Tribal elementary or secondary educational programs

(b) Grants; effect upon appropriated amounts

(1) GrantsSubject to the availability of funds, the Secretary shall provide grants to each tribe or tribal organization operating a contract school or grant school in the amount determined under this section with respect to the tribe or tribal organization for the purpose of paying the administrative and indirect costs incurred in operating contract or grant schools, provided that no school operated as a stand-alone institution shall receive less than $200,000 per year for these purposes, in order to—

(A) enable tribes and tribal organizations operating such schools, without reducing direct program services to the beneficiaries of the program, to provide all related administrative overhead services and operations necessary to meet the requirements of law and prudent management practice; and

(B) carry out other necessary support functions which would otherwise be provided by the Secretary or other Federal officers or employees, from resources other than direct program funds, in support of comparable Bureau-operated programs.

(2) Effect upon appropriated amounts

(1) In general

(2) Direct cost base fundsThe Secretary shall—

(A) reduce the amount of the grant determined under paragraph (1) to the extent that payments for administrative costs are actually received by an Indian tribe or tribal organization under any Federal education program included in the direct cost base of the tribe or tribal organization; and

(B) take such actions as may be necessary to be reimbursed by any other department or agency of the Federal Government for the portion of grants made under this section for the costs of administering any program for Indians that is funded by appropriations made to such other department or agency.

(d) Administrative cost percentage rate

(1) In generalFor purposes of this section, the administrative cost percentage rate for a contract or grant school for a fiscal year is equal to the percentage determined by dividing—

(A) the sum of—

(i) the amount equal to—(I) the direct cost base of the tribe or tribal organization for the fiscal year, multiplied by(II) the minimum base rate; plus

(ii) the amount equal to—(I) the standard direct cost base; multiplied by(II) the maximum base rate; by

(B) the sum of—

(i) the direct cost base of the tribe or tribal organization for the fiscal year; plus

(ii) the standard direct cost base.

(2) Rounding

(3) Applicability

(e) Combining funds

(1) In general

(2) Indirect cost funds

(f) Availability of funds

(g) Treatment of funds

(h) Treatment of entity operating other programsIn applying this section and section 106 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [25 U.S.C. 5325] with respect to an Indian tribe or tribal organization that—

(1) receives funds under this section for administrative costs incurred in operating a contract or grant school or a school operated under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 [25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.]; and

(2) operates one or more other programs under a contract or grant provided under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act [25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.],

the Secretary shall ensure that the Indian tribe or tribal organization is provided with the full amount of the administrative costs that are associated with operating the contract or grant school, and of the indirect costs, that are associated with all of such other programs, except that funds appropriated for implementation of this section shall be used only to supply the amount of the grant required to be provided by this section.

(i) Studies for determination of factors affecting costs; base rates limits; standard direct cost base; report to Congress

(1) StudiesNot later than 120 days after January 8, 2002, the Director of the Office of Indian Education Programs shall—

(A) conduct such studies as may be needed to establish an empirical basis for determining relevant factors substantially affecting required administrative costs of tribal elementary and secondary education programs, using the formula set forth in subsection (c); and

(B) conduct a study to determine—

(i) a maximum base rate which ensures that the amount of the grants provided under this section will provide adequate (but not excessive) funding of the administrative costs of the smallest tribal elementary or secondary educational programs;

(ii) a minimum base rate which ensures that the amount of the grants provided under this section will provide adequate (but not excessive) funding of the administrative costs of the largest tribal elementary or secondary educational programs; and

(iii) a standard direct cost base which is the aggregate direct cost funding level for which the percentage determined under subsection (d) will—(I) be equal to the median between the maximum base rate and the minimum base rate; and(II) ensure that the amount of the grants provided under this section will provide adequate (but not excessive) funding of the administrative costs of tribal elementary or secondary educational programs closest to the size of the program.

(2) GuidelinesThe studies required under paragraph (1) shall—

(A) be conducted in full consultation (in accordance with section 2011 of this title) with—

(i) the tribes and tribal organizations that are affected by the application of the formula set forth in subsection (c); and

(ii) all national and regional Indian organizations of which such tribes and tribal organizations are typically members;

(B) be conducted onsite with a representative statistical sample of the tribal elementary or secondary educational programs under a contract entered into with a nationally reputable public accounting and business consulting firm;

(C) take into account the availability of skilled labor commodities, business and automatic data processing services, related Indian preference and Indian control of education requirements, and any other market factors found to substantially affect the administrative costs and efficiency of each such tribal elementary or secondary educational program studied in order to ensure that all required administrative activities can reasonably be delivered in a cost effective manner for each such program, given an administrative cost allowance generated by the values, percentages, or other factors found in the studies to be relevant in such formula;

(D) identify, and quantify in terms of percentages of direct program costs, any general factors arising from geographic isolation, or numbers of programs administered, independent of program size factors used to compute a base administrative cost percentage in such formula; and

(E) identify any other incremental cost factors substantially affecting the costs of required administrative cost functions at any of the tribal elementary or secondary educational programs studied and determine whether the factors are of general applicability to other such programs, and (if so) how the factors may effectively be incorporated into such formula.

(3) Consultation with Inspector General

(4) Consideration of delivery of administrative services

(5) Report

(6) Projection of costs

(7) Determination of program size

(j) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Reductions

(k) Applicability to schools operating under Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988

(l) Administrative cost grant budget requests

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(A) Funding for new conversions to contract or grant school operations

(B) Funding for continuing contract and grant school operations

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1128, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2032.)

§ 2009. Division of Budget Analysis

(a) Establishment

(b) Functions

Not later than the date on which the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs makes the annual budget submission, for each fiscal year after January 8, 2002, the Director of the Office shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress (including the Appropriations committees), all Bureau-funded schools, and the tribal governing bodies of such schools, a report that contains—

(1) projections, based upon the information gathered pursuant to subsection (b) and any other relevant information, of amounts necessary to provide Indian students in Bureau-funded schools the educational program set forth in this chapter;

(2) a description of the methods and formulas used to calculate the amounts projected pursuant to paragraph (1); and

(3) such other information as the Director of the Office considers appropriate.

(d) Use of reports

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1129, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2038.)

§ 2010. Uniform direct funding and support

(a) Establishment of system and forward funding

(1) In general

(2) Timing for use of funds

(A) AvailabilityFor the purposes of affording adequate notice of funding available pursuant to the allotments made under section 2007 of this title and the allotments of funds for operation and maintenance of facilities, amounts appropriated in an appropriations Act for any fiscal year for such allotments—

(i) shall become available for obligation by the affected schools on July 1 of the fiscal year for which such allotments are appropriated without further action by the Secretary; and

(ii) shall remain available for obligation through the succeeding fiscal year.

(B) PublicationsThe Secretary shall, on the basis of the amounts appropriated as described in this paragraph—

(i) publish, not later than July 1 of the fiscal year for which the amounts are appropriated, information indicating the amount of the allotments to be made to each affected school under section 2007 of this title, of 80 percent of such appropriated amounts; and

(ii) publish, not later than September 30 of such fiscal year, information indicating the amount of the allotments to be made under section 2007 of this title, from the remaining 20 percent of such appropriated amounts, adjusted to reflect the actual student attendance.

(3) Limitation

(A) ExpendituresNotwithstanding any other provision of law (including a regulation), the supervisor of a Bureau-operated school may expend an aggregate of not more than $50,000 of the amount allotted to the school under section 2007 of this title to acquire materials, supplies, equipment, operation services, maintenance services, and other services for the school, and amounts received as operations and maintenance funds, funds received from the Department of Education, or funds received from other Federal sources, without competitive bidding if—

(i) the cost for any single item acquired does not exceed $15,000;

(ii) the school board approves the acquisition;

(iii) the supervisor certifies that the cost is fair and reasonable;

(iv) the documents relating to the acquisition executed by the supervisor of the school or other school staff cite this paragraph as authority for the acquisition; and

(v) the acquisition transaction is documented in a journal maintained at the school that clearly identifies when the transaction occurred, the item that was acquired and from whom, the price paid, the quantities acquired, and any other information the supervisor or the school board considers to be relevant.

(B) Notice

(i) determining the application of this paragraph, including the authorization of specific individuals to carry out this paragraph;

(ii) ensuring that there is at least one such individual at each Bureau facility; and

(iii) the provision of guidelines on the use of this paragraph and adequate training on such guidelines.

(4) Effect of sequestration orderIf a sequestration order issued under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 reduces the amount of funds available for allotment under section 2007 of this title for any fiscal year by more than 7 percent of the amount of funds available for allotment under such section during the preceding fiscal year—

(A) to fund allotments under section 2007 of this title, the Secretary, notwithstanding any other law, may use—

(i) funds appropriated for the operation of any Bureau-funded school that is closed or consolidated; and

(ii) funds appropriated for any program that has been curtailed at any Bureau school; and

(B) the Secretary may waive the application of the provisions of section 2001(h) of this title with respect to the closure or consolidation of a school, or the curtailment of a program at a school, during such fiscal year if the funds described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A) with respect to such school are used to fund allotments made under section 2007 of this title for such fiscal year.

(b) Local financial plans for expenditure of funds

(1) Plan required

(2) Requirement

(3) Preparation and revision

(A) In general

Authority of school board

(4) Role of supervisorThe supervisor of the school—

(A) shall implement the decisions of the school board relating to the financial plan under paragraph (1);

(B) shall provide the appropriate local union representative of the education employees of the school with copies of proposed financial plans relating to the school and all modifications and proposed modifications to the plans, and at the same time submit such copies to the local school board; and

(C) may appeal any such action of the local school board to the appropriate education line officer of the Bureau agency by filing a written statement describing the action and the reasons the supervisor believes such action should be overturned.

(5) Statements

(A) In general

(B) Overturned actions

(d) Technical assistance and training

(e) Summer program of academic and support services

(1) Plan

(A) In general

(B) Prevention activities

(2) Use of other funds

(3) Technical assistance and program coordinationThe Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, acting through the Director of the Office, shall—

(A) provide technical assistance and coordination for any program described in paragraph (1); and

(B) to the extent practicable, encourage the coordination of such programs with any other summer programs that might benefit Indian youth, regardless of the funding source or administrative entity of any such program.

(f) Cooperative agreements

(1) Implementation

(A) In general

(B) Terms

(2) Coordination provisionsAn agreement under paragraph (1) may, with respect to the Bureau school and schools in the school district involved, encompass coordination of all or any part of the following:

(A) The academic program and curriculum, unless the Bureau school is accredited by a State or regional accrediting entity and would not continue to be so accredited if the agreement encompassed the program and curriculum.

(B) Support services, including procurement and facilities maintenance.

(3) Equal benefit and burden

(A) In general

(B) Limitation

(g) Product or result of student projects

(h) Matching fund requirements

(1) Not considered Federal funds

(2) Limitation

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1130, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2039.)

§ 2011. Policy for Indian control of Indian education

(a) Facilitation of Indian control

(b) Consultation with tribes

(1) In general

(2) Requirements

(A) Definition of consultation

(B) Discussion and joint deliberation

During discussions and joint deliberations, interested parties (including tribes and school officials) shall be given an opportunity—

(i) to present issues (including proposals regarding changes in current practices or programs) that will be considered for future action by the Secretary; and

(ii) to participate and discuss the options presented, or to present alternatives, with the views and concerns of the interested parties given effect unless the Secretary determines, from information available from or presented by the interested parties during one or more of the discussions and deliberations, that there is a substantial reason for another course of action.

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1131, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2043.)

§ 2012. Indian education personnel

(a) In general

(b) RegulationsNot later than 60 days after January 8, 2002, the Secretary shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Such regulations shall provide for—

(1) the establishment of education positions;

(2) the establishment of qualifications for educators and education personnel;

(3) the fixing of basic compensation for educators and education positions;

(4) the appointment of educators;

(5) the discharge of educators;

(6) the entitlement of educators to compensation;

(7) the payment of compensation to educators;

(8) the conditions of employment of educators;

(9) the leave system for educators;

(10) the annual leave and sick leave for educators;

(11) the length of the school year applicable to education positions described in subsection (a); and

(12) such additional matters as may be appropriate.

(1) RequirementsIn prescribing regulations to govern the qualifications of educators, the Secretary shall require that—

(A) lists of qualified and interviewed applicants for education positions be maintained in each agency and area office of the Bureau from among individuals who have applied at the agency or area level for an education position or who have applied at the national level and have indicated in such application an interest in working in certain areas or agencies;

(B) a local school board shall have the authority to waive on a case-by-case basis, any formal education or degree qualifications established by regulation pursuant to subsection (b)(2), in order for a tribal member to be hired in an education position to teach courses on tribal culture and language and that subject to subsection (e)(2), a determination by a school board that such a person be hired shall be instituted by the supervisor of the school involved; and

1 So in original. The word “that” probably should not appear.

it shall not be a prerequisite to the employment of an individual in an education position at the local level that—

(i) such individual’s name appear on a list maintained pursuant to subparagraph (A); or

(ii) such individual have applied at the national level for an education position.

(2) Exception for certain temporary employment

(d) Hiring of educators

(1) RequirementsIn prescribing regulations to govern the appointment of educators, the Secretary shall require—

(A)

(i)(I) that educators employed in a Bureau school (other than the supervisor of the school) shall be hired by the supervisor of the school; and(II) in a case in which there are no qualified applicants available to fill a vacancy at a Bureau school, the supervisor may consult a list maintained pursuant to subsection (c)(1)(A);

(ii) each supervisor of a Bureau school shall be hired by the education line officer of the agency office of the Bureau for the jurisdiction in which the school is located;

(iii) each educator employed in an agency office of the Bureau shall be hired by the superintendent for education of the agency office; and

(iv) each education line officer and educator employed in the office of the Director of the Office shall be hired by the Director;

(B)

(i) before an individual is employed in an education position in a Bureau school by the supervisor of the school (or, with respect to the position of supervisor, by the appropriate agency education line officer), the local school board for the school shall be consulted; and

(ii) that a determination by such school board, as evidenced by school board records, that such individual should or should not be so employed shall be instituted by the supervisor (or with respect to the position of supervisor, by the superintendent for education of the agency office);

(C)

(i) before an individual is employed in an education position in an agency or area office of the Bureau, the appropriate agency school board shall be consulted; and

(ii) a determination by such school board, as evidenced by school board records, that such individual should or should not be employed shall be instituted by the superintendent for education of the agency office; and

(D) all employment decisions or actions be in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and tribal laws.

(2) Information regarding application at national level

(A) In general

(B) Determination of accuracy

(D) Conditional appointment for national provision

(3) Statutory construction

(4) Appeals

(A) By supervisor

(i) In general

(ii) Action by board

(iii) Overturning of determination

(iv) Transmission of determination

(B) By education line officer

(i) In general

(ii) Action by board

(iii) Overturning of determination

(iv) Transmission of determination

(5) Other appeals

(A) In general

(B) Action by board

(D) Transmission of determination

(e) Discharge and conditions of employment of educators

(1) RegulationsIn promulgating regulations to govern the discharge and conditions of employment of educators, the Secretary shall require—

(A) that procedures shall be established for the rapid and equitable resolution of grievances of educators;

(B) that no educator may be discharged without notice of the reasons for the discharge and an opportunity for a hearing under procedures that comport with the requirements of due process; and

(C) that each educator employed in a Bureau school shall be notified 30 days prior to the end of an academic year whether the employment contract of the individual will be renewed for the following year.

(2) Procedures for discharge

(A) Determinations

(i) In general

(ii) Notification of board

(iii) Determination by board

(B) Appeals

(i) In general

(ii) Decision of agency education line officer

(iii) Form of decision

(3) Recommendations of school boards for dischargeEach local school board for a Bureau school shall have the right—

(A) to recommend to the supervisor that an educator employed in the school be discharged; and

(B) to recommend to the education line officer of the appropriate agency office of the Bureau and to the Director of the Office, that the supervisor of the school be discharged.

(f) Applicability of Indian preference laws

(1) Applicability

(A) In generalNotwithstanding any provision of the Indian preference laws, such laws shall not apply in the case of any personnel action carried out under this section with respect to an applicant or employee not entitled to an Indian preference if each tribal organization concerned—

(i) grants a written waiver of the application of those laws with respect to the personnel action; and

(ii) states that the waiver is necessary.

(B) No effect on responsibility of Bureau

(2) DefinitionsIn this subsection:

(A) Indian preference laws

(i) In general

(ii) Exclusion

(B) Tribal organizationThe term “tribal organization” means—

(i) the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized community, including a Native village (as defined in section 1602(c) of title 43); or

(ii) in connection with any personnel action referred to in this subsection, any local school board to which the governing body has delegated the authority to grant a waiver under this subsection with respect to a personnel action.

(g) Compensation or annual salary

(1) In general

(A) Compensation for educators and education positionsExcept as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall establish the compensation or annual salary rate for educators and education positions—

(i) at rates in effect under the General Schedule for individuals with comparable qualifications, and holding comparable positions, to whom chapter 51 of title 5 is applicable; or

(ii) on the basis of the Federal Wage System schedule in effect for the locality involved, and for the comparable positions, at the rates of compensation in effect for the senior executive service.

(B) Compensation or salary for teachers and counselors

(i) In general

(ii) Essential provisions

(i) In general

(ii) Consistent rates

(iii) Decreases

(iv) IncreasesIn a case in which adoption of rates under clause (i) leads to an increase in the payment of compensation from that which was in effect for the fiscal year following January 8, 2002, the school board may make such rates applicable at the next contract renewal such that—(I) the increase occurs in its entirety; or(II) the increase is applied in three equal installments.

(D) Use of regulations; continued employment of certain educatorsThe establishment of rates of basic compensation and annual salary rates under subparagraphs (B) and (C) shall not—

(i) preclude the use of regulations and procedures used by the Bureau prior to April 28, 1988, in making determinations regarding promotions and advancements through levels of pay that are based on the merit, education, experience, or tenure of the educator; or

(ii) affect the continued employment or compensation of an educator who was employed in an education position on October 31, 1979, and who did not make an election under subsection (p) 3

3 See References in Text note below.

as in effect on January 1, 1990.

(2) Post differential rates

(A) In general

(B) Supervisor’s authority

(i) In general

(ii) ExceptionThe Secretary shall disapprove, or approve with a modification, a request for authorization to provide a post differential rate if the Secretary determines for clear and convincing reasons (and advises the board in writing of those reasons) that the rate should be disapproved or decreased because the disparity of compensation between the appropriate educators or positions in the Bureau school, and the comparable educators or positions at the nearest public school, is—(I)(aa) at least 5 percent; or(bb) less than 5 percent; and(II) does not affect the recruitment or retention of employees at the school.

(iii) Approval of requests

(iv) Discontinuation of or decrease in ratesThe Secretary or the supervisor of a Bureau school may discontinue or decrease a post differential rate provided for under this paragraph at the beginning of an academic year if—(I) the local school board requests that such differential be discontinued or decreased; or(II) the Secretary or the supervisor, respectively, determines for clear and convincing reasons (and advises the board in writing of those reasons) that there is no disparity of compensation that would affect the recruitment or retention of employees at the school after the differential is discontinued or decreased.

(v) Reports

(h) Liquidation of remaining leave upon termination

(i) Transfer of remaining sick leave upon transfer, promotion, or reemployment

(j) Ineligibility for employment of voluntarily terminated educators

(k) Dual compensationIn the case of any educator employed in an education position described in subsection (l)(1)(A) 4

4 So in original. Subsec. (l)(1) does not contain subpars.

who—

(1) is employed at the close of a school year;

(2) agrees in writing to serve in such position for the next school year; and

(3) is employed in another position during the recess period immediately preceding such next school year, or during such recess period receives additional compensation referred to in section 5533 of title 5, relating to dual compensation,

shall not apply to such educator by reason of any such employment during a recess period for any receipt of additional compensation.

(l) Voluntary services

(1) In general

(2) Federal employee protection

(3) Federal status

(m) Proration of pay

(1) Election of employee

(A) In general

(B) Election

(2) Change of election

(3) Lump sum payment

(4) Nonapplicability

(5) Definitions

(n) Extracurricular activities

(1) Stipend

(A) In general

(B) Provision to employees

(2) Election not to receive stipend

(3) Applicability of subsection

(o) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Education positionThe term “education position” means a position in the Bureau the duties and responsibilities of which—

(A)

(i) are performed on a school year basis principally in a Bureau school; and

(ii) involve—(I) classroom or other instruction or the supervision or direction of classroom or other instruction;(II) any activity (other than teaching) which requires academic credits in educational theory and practice equal to the academic credits in educational theory and practice required for a bachelor’s degree in education from an accredited institution of higher education;(III) any activity in or related to the field of education notwithstanding that academic credits in educational theory and practice are not a formal requirement for the conduct of such activity; or(IV) support services at, or associated with, the site of the school; or

(B) are performed at the agency level of the Bureau and involve the implementation of education-related programs other than the position for agency superintendent for education.

(2) Educator

(p) Covered individuals; election

(q) Furlough without consent

(1) In generalAn educator who was employed in an education position on October 31, 1979, who was eligible to make an election under subsection (p) 3 at that time, and who did not make the election under such subsection, may not be placed on furlough (within the meaning of section 7511(a)(5) of title 5,5

5 So in original. The comma probably should be a closing parenthesis.

without the consent of such educator for an aggregate of more than 4 weeks within the same calendar year, unless—

(A) the supervisor, with the approval of the local school board (or of the education line officer upon appeal under paragraph (2)), of the Bureau school at which such educator provides services determines that a longer period of furlough is necessary due to an insufficient amount of funds available for personnel compensation at such school, as determined under the financial plan process as determined under section 2009(b) 6

6 So in original. Probably should be section “2010(b)”.

of this title; and

(B) all educators (other than principals and clerical employees) providing services at such Bureau school are placed on furloughs of equal length, except that the supervisor, with the approval of the local school board (or of the agency education line officer upon appeal under paragraph (2)), may continue one or more educators in pay status if—

(i) such educators are needed to operate summer programs, attend summer training sessions, or participate in special activities including curriculum development committees; and

(ii) such educators are selected based upon such educator’s qualifications after public notice of the minimum qualifications reasonably necessary and without discrimination as to supervisory, nonsupervisory, or other status of the educators who apply.

(2) Appeals

(r) Stipends

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1132, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2044.)

§ 2013. Computerized management information system

(a) In general

Not later than 12 months after January 8, 2002, the Secretary shall update the computerized management information system within the Office. The information to be updated shall include information regarding—

(1) student enrollment;

(2) curricula;

(3) staffing;

(4) facilities;

(5) community demographics;

(6) student assessment information;

(7) information on the administrative and program costs attributable to each Bureau program, divided into discrete elements;

(8) relevant reports;

(9) personnel records;

(10) finance and payroll; and

(11) such other items as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(b) Implementation of system

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1133, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2055.)

§ 2014. Recruitment of Indian educators

The Secretary shall institute a policy for the recruitment of qualified Indian educators and a detailed plan to promote employees from within the Bureau. Such plan shall include opportunities for acquiring work experience prior to actual work assignment.

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1134, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2055.)

§ 2015. Annual report; audits

(a) Annual reports

The Secretary shall submit to each appropriate committee of Congress, all Bureau-funded schools, and the tribal governing bodies of such schools, a detailed annual report on the state of education within the Bureau, and any problems encountered in Indian education during the period covered by the report, that includes—

(1) suggestions for the improvement of the Bureau educational system and for increasing tribal or local Indian control of such system; and

(2) information on the status of tribally controlled community colleges.

(b) Budget request

(d) Administrative evaluation of schools

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1135, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2016. Rights of Indian students

The Secretary shall prescribe such rules and regulations as are necessary to ensure the constitutional and civil rights of Indian students attending Bureau-funded schools, including such students’ rights to—

(1) privacy under the laws of the United States;

(2) freedom of religion and expression; and

(3) due process in connection with disciplinary actions, suspensions, and expulsions.

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1136, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2017. Regulations

(a) Promulgation

(1) In general

The Secretary may promulgate only such regulations—

(A) as are necessary to ensure compliance with the specific provisions of this chapter; and

(B) as the Secretary is authorized to promulgate pursuant to section 2510 of this title.1

1 So in original. Probably should be section “2509”.

(2) Publication

In promulgating the regulations, the Secretary shall—

(A) publish proposed regulations in the Federal Register; and

(B) provide a period of not less than 120 days for public comment and consultation on the regulations.

(3) Citation

(b) Miscellaneous

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1137, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2056.)

§ 2018. Regional meetings and negotiated rulemaking

(a) Regional meetings

(b) Negotiated rulemaking

(1) In general

(2) Notification to Congress

(3) Rulemaking committee

The Secretary shall establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to carry out this subsection. In establishing such committee, the Secretary shall—

(A) apply the procedures provided for under subchapter III of chapter 5 of title 5 in a manner that reflects the unique government-to-government relationship between Indian tribes and the United States;

(B) ensure that the membership of the committee includes only representatives of the Federal Government and of tribes served by Bureau-funded schools;

(C) select the tribal representatives of the committee from among individuals nominated by the representatives of the tribal and tribally operated schools;

(D) ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that the tribal representative membership on the committee reflects the proportionate share of students from tribes served by the Bureau-funded school system; and

(E) comply with chapter 10 of title 5.

(4) Special rule

(1) Supremacy of provisions

(2) Modifications

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1138, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2057; amended Pub. L. 117–286, § 4(a)(182), Dec. 27, 2022, 136 Stat. 4326.)

§ 2019. Early childhood development program

(a) In general

(b) Amount of grants

(1) In generalThe total amount of the grants provided under subsection (a) with respect to each tribe, tribal organization, or consortium of tribes or tribal organizations for each fiscal year shall be equal to the amount which bears the same relationship to the total amount appropriated under the authority of subsection (g) for such fiscal year (less amounts provided under subsection (f)) as—

(A) the total number of children under 6 years of age who are members of—

(i) such tribe;

(ii) the tribe that authorized such tribal organization; or

(iii) any tribe that—(I) is a member of such consortium; or(II) authorizes any tribal organization that is a member of such consortium; bears to

(B) the total number of all children under 6 years of age who are members of any tribe that—

(i) is eligible to receive funds under subsection (a);

(ii) is a member of a consortium that is eligible to receive such funds; or

(iii) authorizes a tribal organization that is eligible to receive such funds.

(2) LimitationNo grant may be provided under subsection (a)—

(A) to any tribe that has less than 500 members;

(B) to any tribal organization which is authorized—

(i) by only one tribe that has less than 500 members; or

(ii) by one or more tribes that have a combined total membership of less than 500 members; or

(C) to any consortium composed of tribes, or tribal organizations authorized by tribes, that have a combined total tribal membership of less than 500 members.

(1) In general

(2) Contents

(d) Requirement of programs fundedThe early childhood development programs that are funded by grants provided under subsection (a)—

(1) shall coordinate existing programs and may provide services that meet identified needs of parents and children under 6 years of age which are not being met by existing programs, including—

(A) prenatal care;

(B) nutrition education;

(D) family literacy services;

(E) educational testing; and

(F) other educational services;

(2) may include instruction in the language, art, and culture of the tribe; and

(3) shall provide for periodic assessment of the program.

(e) Coordination of family literacy programs

(f) Administrative costs

(g) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1139, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2058; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(cc)(1), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2173.)

§ 2020. Tribal departments or divisions of education

(a) In general

(b) Applications

(d) Use

(1) to facilitate tribal control in all matters relating to the education of Indian children on reservations (and on former Indian reservations in Oklahoma);

(2) to provide for the development of coordinated educational programs (including all preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher or vocational educational programs funded by tribal, Federal, or other sources) on reservations (and on former Indian reservations in Oklahoma) by encouraging tribal administrative support of all Bureau-funded educational programs as well as encouraging tribal cooperation and coordination with entities carrying out all educational programs receiving financial support from other Federal agencies, State agencies, or private entities; and

(3) to provide for the development and enforcement of tribal educational codes, including tribal educational policies and tribal standards applicable to curriculum, personnel, students, facilities, and support programs.

(e) PrioritiesIn making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any application that—

(1) includes—

(A) assurances that the applicant serves three or more separate Bureau-funded schools; and

(B) assurances from the applicant that the tribal department of education to be funded under this section will provide coordinating services and technical assistance to all of such schools;

(2) includes assurances that all education programs for which funds are provided by such a contract or grant will be monitored and audited, by or through the tribal department of education, to ensure that the programs meet the requirements of law; and

(3) provides a plan and schedule that—

(A) provides for—

(i) the assumption, by the tribal department of education, of all assets and functions of the Bureau agency office associated with the tribe, to the extent the assets and functions relate to education; and

(ii) the termination by the Bureau of such functions and office at the time of such assumption; and

(B) provides that the assumption shall occur over the term of the grant made under this section, except that, when mutually agreeable to the tribal governing body and the Assistant Secretary, the period in which such assumption is to occur may be modified, reduced, or extended after the initial year of the grant.

(f) Time period of grant

(g) Terms, conditions, or requirements

(h) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1140, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2059.)

§ 2021. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter, unless otherwise specified:

(1) Agency school board

The term “agency school board” means a body—

(A) the members of which are appointed by all of the school boards of the schools located within an agency, including schools operated under contract or grant; and

(B) the number of such members is determined by the Secretary, in consultation with the affected tribes;

except that, in agencies serving a single school, the school board of such school shall fulfill these duties, and in agencies having schools or a school operated under contract or grant, one such member at least shall be from such a school.

(2) Bureau

(3) Bureau-funded school

The term “Bureau-funded school” means—

(A) a Bureau school;

(B) a contract or grant school; or

(C) a school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 [25 U.S.C. 2501 et seq.].

(4) Bureau school

(5) Complementary educational facilities

(6) Contract or grant school

(7) Director

(8) Education line officer

(9) Family literacy services

(10) Financial plan

(11) Indian organization

(12) Inherently Federal functions

The term “inherently Federal functions” means functions and responsibilities which, under section 2006(c) of this title, are noncontractable, including—

(A) the allocation and obligation of Federal funds and determinations as to the amounts of expenditures;

(B) the administration of Federal personnel laws for Federal employees;

(C) the administration of Federal contracting and grant laws, including the monitoring and auditing of contracts and grants in order to maintain the continuing trust, programmatic, and fiscal responsibilities of the Secretary;

(D) the conducting of administrative hearings and deciding of administrative appeals;

(E) the determination of the Secretary’s views and recommendations concerning administrative appeals or litigation and the representation of the Secretary in administrative appeals and litigation;

(F) the issuance of Federal regulations and policies as well as any documents published in the Federal Register;

(G) reporting to Congress and the President;

(H) the formulation of the Secretary’s and the President’s policies and their budgetary and legislative recommendations and views; and

(I) the nondelegable statutory duties of the Secretary relating to trust resources.

(13) Local educational agency

(14) Local school board

The term “local school board”, when used with respect to a Bureau school, means a body chosen in accordance with the laws of the tribe to be served or, in the absence of such laws, elected by the parents of the Indian children attending the school, except that, for a school serving a substantial number of students from different tribes—

(A) the members of the body shall be appointed by the tribal governing bodies of the tribes affected; and

(B) the number of such members shall be determined by the Secretary in consultation with the affected tribes.

(15) Office

(16) Regulation

(A) In general

(B) Rule of construction

(17) Secretary

(18) Supervisor

(19) Tribal governing body

(20) Tribe

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, § 1141, as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1042, Jan. 8, 2002, 115 Stat. 2061; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9215(cc)(2), Dec. 10, 2015, 129 Stat. 2173.)