Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 (II)
- Sponsor
- Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1]
- Committees
- Education and Workforce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 27, 2026
Bottom line
The bill aims to substantially increase and standardize funding for BIE and tribally controlled schools, ensuring equitable educational resources and competitive salaries for all school staff.
What it actually does
This bill mandates a significant update to the Indian School Equalization Formula (ISEF) within one year, requiring it to provide sufficient funding to adequately fund Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools and match the highest quartile of state-by-state average salaries for school staff. It also requires the President's annual budget request to include full funding for the Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP), adjusted for inflation and including salary increases to match Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schedules for teachers and federal employee pay increases for other staff at tribal schools.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill addresses historical underfunding and systemic disparities in BIE schools, ensuring quality education and attracting and retaining highly qualified staff by offering competitive salaries. They contend it fulfills the federal government's trust responsibility to Indian Tribes by providing equitable educational opportunities for Indigenous students.
Opponents contend
Potential opponents might raise concerns about the significant increase in federal spending, particularly the open-ended commitment to match high salary benchmarks like the 'highest quartile' of state salaries and DoDEA schedules, which could create a substantial and escalating long-term fiscal burden on federal taxpayers.
The bill is concise and its core provisions are clearly articulated, making it accessible for a quick and informed review by interested parties.
Section 3(a)
Mandate to Update the Indian School Equalization Formula (ISEF)
This provision requires the Secretary of the Interior, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to update the Indian School Equalization Formula within one year. The update must ensure sufficient funding for BIE schools, consider matching the highest quartile of state-by-state average salaries for all school staff, and include specific weights for tribally controlled, small, and rural schools. It also mandates an additional cost factor for Havasupai Elementary School.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that updating the ISEF with these specific factors is crucial to address long-standing underfunding and ensure BIE schools can offer competitive salaries, thereby attracting and retaining high-quality educators and staff. This directly improves the learning environment and outcomes for Indigenous students.
Critics contend
Critics might express concerns about the administrative complexity and cost implications of consistently gathering and applying state-by-state salary data to match the 'highest quartile,' potentially leading to significant and escalating federal expenditures.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the need for comprehensive, equitable funding for BIE schools with the fiscal challenges of implementing ambitious salary benchmarks and specific carve-outs, such as for Havasupai Elementary School, within a standardized formula.
Section 3(b)
Report on Adequacy of Indian School Equalization Formula and Program
This provision requires the Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and BIE Director to submit a report to Congress. This report, developed in consultation with national organizations representing Indian Tribes and BIE students, must describe the adequacy of the Indian School Equalization Formula and Program in meeting the needs of BIE and tribally controlled schools, and include recommendations for improvements.
Section 4(a)
Mandate for Full Funding Requests for Indian School Equalization Program
This provision requires the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs to ensure that the President's annual budget submission to Congress includes a request for full funding for the operation and maintenance of the Indian School Equalization Program. This mandate begins in the first fiscal year after the Indian School Equalization Formula has been updated.
Section 4(b)
Criteria for Determining Full Funding Amount
This provision outlines the specific requirements the Assistant Secretary must follow when determining the amount necessary for full funding of the Indian School Equalization Program. These requirements include using the newly updated ISEF, consulting the National Advisory Council on Indian Education's report, adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, and incorporating specific fixed costs. These fixed costs include salary increases to match the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) schedule for teachers and federal employee pay increases for non-teacher employees at tribally controlled schools.
Mandates that Havasupai Elementary School be awarded an additional cost factor of 12.5 Weighted Student Units within the updated Indian School Equalization Formula.
Section 3(a)(3)(C)
Why it matters:It is standard legislative practice to include specific provisions for unique circumstances or entities within broader bills, rather than creating separate legislation for each. This allows for comprehensive reform while addressing particular needs.
Case for: Supporters would argue that Havasupai Elementary School likely faces unique challenges, such as extreme remoteness or specific student needs, that necessitate additional, targeted funding beyond what a general formula might provide to ensure equitable educational opportunities.
Case against: Critics might argue that specific carve-outs, while addressing individual needs, can complicate the overall funding formula and potentially lead to other schools seeking similar special considerations, which could undermine the goal of a standardized, equitable system.
Estimated impact: Provides a specific, quantifiable funding boost to one particular school, likely a relatively small amount in the context of the overall BIE budget but significant for the individual school.
Mandates that the updated Indian School Equalization Formula consider and ensure sufficient funding to fully support salaries for all employees at a rate commensurate with the highest quartile of average State-by-State salaries for school teachers, principals, other leadership positions, and all school staff. Furthermore, it requires that full funding requests include increases to match the salary schedule of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) for teachers and pay increases for all non-teacher employees at tribally controlled schools at the same rate as Federal employees.
Section 3(a)(2)(B), Section 3(a)(3)(A), Section 4(b)(4)
Why it matters:These are the operational mechanics of how the bill's core financial goals will be achieved. Such specific criteria are often placed in detailed subsections rather than the headline provisions, as they are technical implementation details.
Case for: Proponents argue that these specific salary benchmarks are essential to ensure BIE schools can attract and retain highly qualified staff, directly addressing a critical barrier to educational quality. Matching high-performing state salaries and other federal education systems (DoDEA) ensures parity and professionalization of the BIE workforce.
Case against: Opponents would raise significant concerns about the substantial and potentially escalating long-term fiscal commitment. Matching the 'highest quartile' of state salaries and DoDEA schedules could lead to a massive increase in federal expenditure for BIE school personnel, creating an ongoing and difficult-to-control budgetary obligation.
Estimated impact: Potentially a very significant increase in federal expenditure for BIE school salaries, likely hundreds of millions to billions annually, with ongoing annual increases tied to external benchmarks and inflation.