S.Amdt. 6410

SA 6410, submitted by Mr. Heinrich, aims to add a section to bill S. 4784 regarding the Indian School Equalization Formula.

The purpose of this amendment is to require studies to address the following:

• The resources needed by Bureau-funded schools to provide competitive salaries and benefits to recruit and keep high-quality staff, including teachers and administrators.
• The funding and resources the Bureau of Indian Education needs to ensure students in Bureau-funded schools get a high-quality education.
• Potential revenue sources to make Bureau of Indian Education funding, resources, and salaries equal to other school systems.

Specifically, the amendment adds a requirement for the Secretary, working with the Assistant Secretary and the Director of the Bureau of Indian Education, to study updating the Indian School Equalization Formula. This study must look at:

• Ensuring there is enough funding for Bureau-funded schools, including those operated by the Bureau of Indian Education and tribally controlled schools.
• Setting the highest rate of basic compensation based on either the higher of average state-by-state salaries for non-Bureau public school staff or the compensation rates for Department of Defense teachers.
• Considering weights or ratios for rural schools, schools with fewer than 100 students, and tribally controlled schools.
• Ensuring the Havasupai Elementary School is given an additional cost factor of 12.5 Weighted Student Unit.

The amendment also requires a report to be submitted to Congress and made public to Indian Tribes regarding the adequacy of the formula and program, along with recommendations for improvements. Finally, it mandates a study to identify revenue sources to bring Bureau-funded schools into parity with other schools.