The upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process presents significant considerations for the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and the schools it supports. Across the country, BIE-funded institutions play a crucial role in providing education to students in rural and often underserved Native American communities. Recognizing these needs, school leaders have outlined a detailed set of appropriation requests and policy recommendations to Congress.

Core Appropriation Requests

Several key funding areas have been identified for enhancement:

• Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP): An increase of $10.7 million is sought to support teacher pay costs, addressing salary competitiveness to attract and retain qualified educators.
  
• Student Transportation: An increase of $7.0 million is requested to offset rising costs associated with bus maintenance, fuel, and transportation staff salaries.
  
• Tribal Grant Support Costs: Advocates propose establishing a dedicated budget line for Tribal Grant Support Costs within the BIE budget, mirroring similar provisions in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Contract Support Costs.
  
• Education Facilities Operations and Maintenance: One-time increases of $65 million and $60 million, respectively, are recommended to move operations and maintenance funding to a forward-funded basis, which will provide greater financial stability and predictability for school infrastructure needs.

Addressing Fixed Costs and Inflation

Recent Congressional reports acknowledge that static funding levels effectively result in cuts to programmatic budgets when factoring in rising fixed costs. Maintaining baseline funding to meet inflationary pressures is recognized as vital to honoring the federal trust and treaty obligations to Indigenous peoples.

Coordination with the U.S. Department of Education

BIE schools receive supplementary funding from U.S. Department of Education programs, such as Title I (targeted at supporting low-income students) and IDEA (supporting students with disabilities):

• In FY 2023, $128.7 million was allocated for Title I, and $85.1 million for IDEA.
  
• There is a recommendation to make Title I funding a permanent component of the ISEP budget.
  
• Should administrative responsibility for IDEA funding shift to the Department of Health and Human Services, continued financial support at at least FY 2025 levels is requested to ensure service continuity.
  

Contextual Challenges for BIE Schools

BIE schools face unique operational challenges that differ significantly from urban and suburban school environments:

• Many schools are located in isolated, rural areas far from urban centers, which increases supplies, utilities, and facility maintenance costs.
  
• Transportation infrastructure is limited; only 25% of BIA roads are paved, affecting school bus operations and maintenance costs.
  
• A significant proportion of students come from low-income families, underscoring the need for Title I and other supplemental supports.
  
• Staffing challenges persist, with many employees commuting long distances due to limited local housing options.
  

Concerns Regarding School Vouchers and Stability

Concerns have been raised regarding proposals to allow BIE funds to be used for school vouchers or public charter school tuition. For two decades, Congressional appropriations language has directed that BIE funds not be used to support state-funded charter schools. Stakeholders stress that policy stability and consistent funding are critical to enabling BIE schools to focus on improving educational outcomes rather than managing external disruptions.

Conclusion

The FY 2026 appropriations request for BIE-funded schools emphasizes maintaining financial stability, addressing inflationary pressures, supporting educational equity, and reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to tribal education. As Congress deliberates the Interior Appropriations Act, these considerations offer important context to ensure that federal responsibilities are met and that Native American students receive the support they need to succeed.