WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, the Native American Education Opportunity Act was introduced by Congressman Andy Biggs. The Act establishes a five-year pilot program to allow Tribes to create an education savings account (ESA) for Tribal enrolled students who currently attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
Arizona Representatives David Schweikert, Debbie Lesko, and Paul Gosar and Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer applauded the bill.
According to Biggs, the Native American Education Opportunity Program would be funded through Title II of the Every Students Succeeds Act, of which $8,000 would be deposited into a student’s ESA.
Arizona was the birthplace of ESAs thanks to the work of the Goldwater Institute. The program, which was first enacted in Arizona in 2011, takes a portion of what the state would spend covering the cost of a student’s education in a public school and instead deposits that money into a personalized account that allows the child’s family to use the funds for tutoring, educational therapies, private school tuition, curriculum materials, and other teaching tools.
Biggs’ bill also allows Tribes and BIE to approve and fund charter schools on Tribal land.
The legislation is endorsed by the Navajo Nation, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Heritage Action, and the American Federation for Children.
“I am honored to introduce the Native American Education Opportunity Act. This bill gives Native American families and their children the freedom to choose alternative educational services other than the ones currently provided by the Bureau of Indian Education. School choice is critical to the foundation of America’s children, and I am honored to work alongside Indian Country leaders to make this opportunity a reality,” said Biggs in a press release.
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“The Native American Education Opportunity Act empowers Native American parents to guide the education of their children. The successful education of Navajo children will require the engaged commitment of parents and communities embedded in the culture and values of the Diné People. We appreciate Representative Biggs’ sponsorship of this important initiative,” stated Lizer.
Gosar said the country owes “it to tribal communities to ensure they have the freedom to also pursue the best possible education opportunities for their children. I thank Representative Biggs for his leadership and I’m honored to join my colleagues on this bill which will empower Native American families.”
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