Congressman Biggs Reintroduces the Native American Education Opportunity Act

Press Release

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs re-introduced the Native American Education Opportunity Act, which 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. 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. ESA funds may be used for costs of attendance at private elementary or secondary schools, private online programs, private tutoring, transportation, and 529 plans, among other educational services. The bill also allows Tribes and BIE to approve and fund charter schools on Tribal land.

Congressman Biggs and supporters of this legislation released the following statements:

"The Native American Education Opportunity Act 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 it creates opportunities for students to grow in educational environments that best suit them. I unequivocally stand by making education available to all Americans and will continue working toward making this opportunity a reality." -- Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

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