BIE to Hold Tribal Consultations this Friday on Executive Order requiring Interior to Prepare a Plan for use of Federal BIE Funds for Schools of Choice

EO 14191, titled “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families” and signed on January 29, 2025, includes a section that seeks the implementation of schools of choice using federal BIE funds for families with children eligible to attend BIE schools.

Section 7 of the Order provides:

Helping Children Eligible for Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Schools. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall review any available mechanisms under which families of students eligible to attend BIE schools may use their Federal funding for educational options of their choice, including private, faith-based, or public charter schools, and submit a plan to the President describing such mechanisms and the steps that would be necessary to implement them for the 2025-26 school year. The Secretary shall report on the current performance of BIE schools and identify educational options in nearby areas.

On February 28, 2025, the BIE issued a Dear Tribal Leader Letter announcing two expedited tribal consultation webinars for Tribal leaders and the public scheduled for this Friday, March 14, 2025. The links to register for either of Friday’s consultations are in the letter. Written comments can also be submitted by email to consultationcomments@bie.edu.

The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) has shared its concerns about BIE School Choice here.

https://www.bie.edu/news-article/bie-students-prepared-digital-workforce