Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4869
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Native Americans
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-09T20:37:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation directs studies to assess and improve funding for Bureau-funded schools through updates to the Indian School Equalization Formula, aiming to support competitive salaries, high-quality education, and parity with other school systems.
Key Provisions
- Mandates a study within one year to update the Indian School Equalization Formula, considering adequate funding for Bureau-operated and tribally controlled schools.
- Requires the formula to support salaries at the highest of state public school averages or Department of Defense overseas teacher rates.
- Directs consideration of weights for tribally controlled schools, small schools (under 100 students), and rural schools.
- Specifies an additional 12.5 Weighted Student Unit cost factor for Havasupai Elementary School.
- Requires a report to Congress and Indian Tribes on the formula's adequacy and recommendations for improvements.
- Requires a separate study to identify potential revenue sources for achieving funding parity.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The Act does not amend existing statutes but establishes new federal requirements for studying and potentially revising the Indian School Equalization Formula and Program under 25 CFR Part 39, including specific compensation benchmarks and school-specific adjustments not previously mandated.
Potential Impacts
- On government agencies: Requires coordination by the Secretary of the Interior, Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, and Bureau of Indian Education Director to conduct studies and issue reports.
- On citizens: Aims to improve resources for students, teachers, and staff at Bureau-funded schools serving Native American communities.
- On international relations: None identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Bureau of Indian Education and Department of the Interior.
- Indian Tribes and tribally controlled schools.
- Students, teachers, administrators, and staff at Bureau-funded schools.
- National organizations representing Indian Tribes and Bureau-funded school students.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The Act emphasizes consultation with Indian Tribes and addresses federal trust responsibilities for Native American education, potentially raising issues of equitable funding under existing treaty and statutory obligations without altering constitutional authority over Indian affairs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 2026-06-23: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-23 — PDF (6 pages)