H.R. 9973 — Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 (II)

This section defines terms used throughout the Act, including the Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs, the Indian School Equalization Formula and Program under title 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Indian Tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, and the Secretary of the Interior.

This section requires the Secretary of the Interior, within one year of enactment, to update the Indian School Equalization Formula to provide sufficient funding for Bureau of Indian Education schools, including salaries matching the highest quartile of state averages for teachers, principals, and staff. The update must apply additional weights for tribal-controlled schools, schools with fewer than 100 students, and rural schools, and award Havasupai Elementary School an extra 12.5 Weighted Student Unit cost factor. It also directs submission of a report to Congress assessing the formula's adequacy and recommending improvements.

This section requires the Assistant Secretary to ensure that the President's annual budget request includes full funding for operation and maintenance of the Indian School Equalization Program, beginning the first fiscal year after the equalization formula is updated. The amount must be calculated using the updated formula, the most recent National Advisory Council on Indian Education report, Consumer Price Index adjustments for the prior 12 months, and fixed costs that match Department of Defense Education Activity teacher salaries plus federal pay raises for non-teacher employees at tribally controlled schools.