The Quileute Tribal School in La Push, Washington. Photo from Quileute Tribal School

The Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is holding a hearing this Wednesday to focus on Indian education.

Lawmakers will take testimony on four bills aimed at improving education systems in Indian Country. They are:

• S.2580, the Reforming American Indian Standards of Education Act (RAISE Act). The bill creates a new and independent Indian education agency within the Interior Department.
• S.2304, the Tribal Early Childhood, Education, and Related Services Integration Act. The bill creates a demonstration project so tribes, tribal education institutions and tribal organizations can develop early childhood education programs.
• S.2468, the Safe Academic Facilities and Environments for Tribal Youth Act. The bill requires the Bureau of Indian Education and the White House Office of Management and Budget to come up with a 10-year plan to bring Indian schools into "good" condition.
• S.2711, the Native American Education Opportunity Act. The bill would divert some BIE funds into an "education savings account" and that money would give Indian students who live on reservations an alternative to attending a BIE institution.

The hearing takes place at 2:15pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. The witness list follows:

Mr. Lawrence S. Roberts
Acting Assistant Secretary – Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.

The Honorable Carlyle Begay
Arizona State Senator – District 7, Arizona State Senate, Phoenix, AZ

Ms. Patricia Whitefoot
President, National Indian Education Association, Washington, D.C.

Sandra Boham, Ed.D
President, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT

Committee Notice:
Legislative Hearing (April 6, 2016)

Inspector General Reports:
Investigation of Improper Hiring at the Bureau of Indian Education (March 30, 2016)
Investigative Report of Brian Drapeaux (December 2, 2014)

Government Accountability Office Reports:
Key Actions Needed to Ensure Safety and Health at Indian School Facilities (March 10, 2016)
Further Actions on GAO Recommendations Needed to Address Systemic Management Challenges with Indian Education (April 22, 2015)
Bureau of Indian Education Needs to Improve Oversight of School Spending (November 13, 2014)

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