H.R. 9935: Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026

This bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior, working with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to study how to update the formula used to fund Bureau-funded schools, including schools run by the Bureau of Indian Education and tribally controlled schools.

What the study would examine

• Whether the current Indian School Equalization Formula provides enough money to properly fund Bureau-funded schools.
• What funding is needed to pay competitive salaries and benefits for teachers, principals, other leaders, and all school staff.
• How to make Bureau-funded school funding more comparable to other school systems.
• How the formula should account for certain school types and conditions, including:
  • tribally controlled schools,
  • schools with fewer than 100 students, and
  • schools in rural areas.

Pay comparison standard

The bill says the updated funding formula should consider a “highest rate of basic compensation” benchmark. That benchmark would be based on whichever is higher:

• the highest quartile or average state-by-state salaries for teachers, principals, other leadership positions, and school staff at non-Bureau public schools; or
• the pay rate for comparable teaching positions in the Department of Defense school system.

Specific funding requirement

The bill would require the study to ensure that any updated formula fully supports salaries at a level comparable to those outside the Bureau of Indian Education system. It would also require the formula to give Havasupai Elementary School an additional cost factor of 12.5 Weighted Student Units.

Report to Congress and tribes

Within one year after enactment, the Secretary would have to submit a report to Congress and make it available to Indian Tribes. The report would assess:

• whether the Indian School Equalization Formula and related program are meeting the needs of Bureau-funded and tribally controlled schools, and
• what changes or added factors could improve the formula.

Separate study of possible revenue sources

The bill would also require a second study, due within one year, to identify potential revenue sources that could help bring Bureau-funded schools into parity with other schools.

Relevant Companies

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