§2024. Tribal departments of education

(a) In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall provide grants and technical assistance to tribes for the development and operation of tribal departments of education for the purpose of planning and coordinating all educational programs of the tribe.

(b) Grants

Grants provided under this section shall-

(1) be based on applications from the governing body of the tribe,

(2) reflect factors such as geographic and population diversity,

(3) facilitate tribal control in all matters relating to the education of Indian children on Indian reservations and on former Indian reservations in Oklahoma,

(4) provide for the development of coordinated educational programs on Indian reservations (including all preschool, elementary, secondary, and higher or vocational educational programs funded by tribal, Federal, or other sources) by encouraging tribal administrative support of all Bureau funded educational programs as well as encouraging tribal cooperation and coordination with all educational programs receiving financial support from State agencies, other Federal agencies, or private entities,

(5) provide for the development and enforcement of tribal educational codes, including tribal educational policies and tribal standards applicable to curriculum, personnel, students, facilities, and support programs, and

(6) otherwise comply with regulations for grants under section 450h(a) of this title that are in effect on the date application for such grants are made.

(c) Priorities

(1) In approving and funding applications for grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to any application that-

(A) includes assurances from the majority of Bureau funded schools located within the boundaries of the reservation of the applicant that the tribal department of education to be funded under this section will provide coordinating services and technical assistance to all of such schools, including the submission to each applicable agency of a unified application for funding for all of such schools which provides that-

(i) no administrative costs other than those attributable to the individual programs of such schools will be associated with the unified application, and

(ii) the distribution of all funds received under the unified application will be equal to the amount of funds provided by the applicable agency to which each of such schools is entitled under law,

(B) includes assurances from the tribal governing body that the tribal department of education funded under this section will administer all contracts or grants (except those covered by the other provisions of this chapter and the Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978 [25 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]) for education programs administered by the tribe and will coordinate all of the programs to the greatest extent possible,

(C) includes assurances for the monitoring and auditing by or through the tribal department of education of all education programs for which funds are provided by contract or grant to ensure that the programs meet the requirements of law, and

(D) provides a plan and schedule for-

(i) the assumption over the term of the grant by the tribal department of education of all assets and functions of the Bureau agency office associated with the tribe, insofar as those responsibilities relate to education, and

(ii) the termination by the Bureau of such operations and office at the time of such assumption,

except that when mutually agreeable between the tribal governing body and the Assistant Secretary, the period in which such assumption is to occur may be modified, reduced, or extended after the initial year of the grant.

(2) Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, grants provided under this section shall be provided for a period of 3 years and the grant may, if performance by the grantee is satisfactory to the Secretary, be renewed for additional 3-year terms.

(d) Terms, conditions, or requirements

The Secretary shall not impose any terms, conditions, or requirements on the provision of grants under this section that are not specified in this section.

(e) Authorization of appropriations

For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1995 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999.

(Pub. L. 95–561, title XI, §1144, as added Pub. L. 103–382, title III, §381, Oct. 20, 1994, 108 Stat. 4013 ; amended Pub. L. 105–244, title IX, §901(d), Oct. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1828 .)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), was in the original "this title", meaning title XI (§§1101–1152) of Pub. L. 95–561, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XI to the Code, see Tables.

The Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 95–471, Oct. 17, 1978, 92 Stat. 1325 , as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 20 (§1801 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1801 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1998-Subsec. (c)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–244 substituted "Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act of 1978" for "Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978".

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 105–244 effective Oct. 1, 1998, except as otherwise provided in Pub. L. 105–244, see section 3 of Pub. L. 105–244, set out as a note under section 1001 of Title 20, Education.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in title 20 section 7835.