This bill, the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026, requires the Secretary of the Interior (working with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education) to carry out studies and produce reports within 1 year to update the Indian School Equalization Formula. The studies must: look at what Bureau-funded schools need to pay competitive salaries and benefits; examine what funding and other resources the Bureau of Indian Education needs for a high-quality education; and identify potential revenue sources to bring Bureau-funded schools into parity with other school systems. The study must consider specific factors, including ensuring the formula provides enough funding for Bureau-operated and tribally controlled schools; setting the highest rate of basic pay equal to the higher of (A) the highest quartile or average state-by-state salaries for non-Bureau public school teachers, principals, and staff, or (B) Department of Defense teacher compensation rules for overseas teachers; and considering weightings for tribally controlled schools, schools with fewer than 100 students, and rural schools. The bill also requires that Havasupai Elementary School be given an additional cost factor of 12.5 Weighted Student Units. The Secretary must submit a report to Congress and make it publicly available to Indian Tribes with findings on adequacy and recommendations.
The bill directs studies and reports but does not authorize or specify funding amounts or appropriations in the text. No publicly available information on estimated costs.
Supporters wrote that the purpose is to identify the resources needed so Bureau-funded schools can recruit and retain high-quality teachers, administrators, and staff, ensure students receive a high-quality education, and find revenue sources to bring funding and salaries into parity with other school systems. The bill lists specific compensation comparisons and school factors to guide the study.
No publicly available information.