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H.R. 9935House119th Congress (2025-2027)In Committee

Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026

Sponsored by Melanie A. StansburyRep. Melanie A. Stansbury (D-NM)
Introduced July 23, 2026

AI-Generated Summary

Updated July 30, 2026 at 3:21 AM UTC

The Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 requires the Interior Department to examine and improve the funding formula used for Bureau of Indian Education schools. The goal is to ensure these schools can pay teachers and staff salaries that match those in other public schools, especially for small, rural, and tribally controlled schools, and to explore new revenue options to achieve funding parity.

Key Provisions

  • Within one year, the Secretary of the Interior must lead a study to update the Indian School Equalization Formula so that funding can cover competitive teacher, principal, and staff salaries comparable to those in non‑BIE public schools and Department of Defense overseas schools.
  • The study must consider special weighting for tribally controlled schools, schools with fewer than 100 students, and schools in rural areas, and it must add a specific cost factor for Havasupai Elementary School.
  • A report summarizing the study’s findings and recommendations must be sent to Congress and made publicly available to Indian tribes.
  • A separate study, also due within one year, must identify possible revenue sources that could bring funding for Bureau‑funded schools up to parity with other school systems.

Legislative Activity

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HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

July 23, 2026

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 23, 2026

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Education and Workforce Committee

July 23, 2026

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 23, 2026

I

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9935

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 23, 2026

Ms. Stansbury (for herself and Mr. Guest) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce

A BILL

To improve the Indian School Equalization Formula of the Bureau of Indian Education, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026.

2.

Purposes

The purposes of this Act are to study—

(1)

the resources that Bureau-funded schools need to provide competitive salaries and benefits to recruit and retain high-quality teachers, administrators, and all school staff;

(2)

funding and other resources needed by the Bureau of Indian Education to ensure that students attending Bureau-funded schools receive a high-quality education; and

(3)

potential revenue sources to bring Bureau of Indian Education funding, resources, and salaries into parity with other school systems.

3.

Definitions

In this Act:

(1)

Assistant secretary

The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs.

(2)

Bureau-funded school

The term Bureau-funded school has the meaning given the term in section 1141 of the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021).

(3)

Indian school equalization formula

The term Indian School Equalization Formula means the Indian School Equalization Formula described in subparts B and C of part 39 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

(4)

Indian school equalization program

The term Indian School Equalization Program means the Indian School Equalization Program described in part 39 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor regulations).

(5)

Indian tribe

The term Indian Tribe means any Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or other community included on the most recent list published by the Secretary under section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131).

(6)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

(7)

Tribally controlled school

The term tribally controlled school has the meaning given the term in section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511).

4.

Indian school equalization formula study

(a)

Study required

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and in accordance with paragraph (3), the Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, shall carry out a study relating to updating the Indian School Equalization Formula, including by completing the process of developing alternative methods for the equitable distribution of the Indian School Equalization Formula, with consideration given to the factors described in paragraph (2).

(2)

Factors described

The factors referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:

(A)

Ensuring that the Indian School Equalization Formula provides sufficient funding to adequately fund Bureau-funded schools, including—

(i)

schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education; and

(ii)

tribally controlled schools.

(B)

The highest rate of basic compensation, which shall be equal to the higher of—

(i)

the highest quartile or average State-by-State salaries for school teachers, principals, other leadership positions, and all school staff at public schools that are not Bureau-funded schools; and

(ii)

the rate of basic compensation for teacher and teaching positions in the Department of Defense as determined under the Defense Department Overseas Teachers Pay and Personnel Practices Act (20 U.S.C. 901 et seq.).

(3)

Requirements

In carrying out the study of the Indian School Equalization Formula under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A)

ensure that an updated Indian School Equalization Formula provides sufficient funding to fully support salaries for school teachers, principals, other leadership positions, and all school staff at a rate commensurate with salaries of non-Bureau of Indian Education teachers, principals, other leadership positions, and all school staff described in clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (2)(B);

(B)

consider the weights or ratios related to—

(i)

tribally controlled schools;

(ii)

schools with fewer than 100 students; and

(iii)

schools located in rural areas; and

(C)

ensure that, in an updated Indian School Equalization Formula, that Havasupai Elementary School is awarded an additional cost factor of 12.5 Weighted Student Unit (as defined in section 39.2 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation)).

(b)

Report

The Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, and in consultation with national organizations representing Indian Tribes and students attending Bureau-funded schools, shall submit to Congress and make publicly available to Indian Tribes a report describing—

(1)

the adequacy of the Indian School Equalization Formula and the Indian School Equalization Program in fulfilling the needs of Bureau-funded schools and tribally controlled schools; and

(2)

recommendations for increasing or modifying factors to improve the Indian School Equalization Formula.

5.

Study of revenue resources

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in coordination with the Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, shall carry out a study to identify potential revenue sources to bring Bureau-funded schools into parity with other schools.