Call to action: Additional Tribal consultations announced on EO 14191 ‘Expanding educational freedom’

In response to strong engagement during initial consultations earlier this year, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education has scheduled three additional virtual Tribal consultation sessions to continue discussion on Executive Order 14191: “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families,” signed by President Donald Trump on Jan. 29, 2025.

Executive Order 14191 directs the Secretary of the Interior to identify mechanisms that would allow families of students eligible to attend Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools to use federal education funding for a school of their choice, including private, faith-based or public charter schools, beginning in the 2025–26 school year.

Who should attend?

These sessions are open to Tribal leaders or their designated representatives, as well as Tribal citizens, school boards, educators, parents and other public stakeholders invested in the future of Indian education.

What Tribal nations are saying

During the initial consultation held earlier this year, more than 799 participants contributed to the conversation through verbal and written comments. Feedback from Tribal leaders and educational advocates has highlighted concerns about how the executive order’s directives may impact Tribal sovereignty, the federal trust responsibility and access to quality education in Tribal communities, especially those in rural and remote areas.

Key concerns from Tribal nations and advocates 

• Risk to Tribal sovereignty and federal trust responsibilities: In a joint letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Reps. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01), Teresa Leger Fernández (N.M.-03) and Sharice Davids (Kan.-03) expressed concerns that EO 14191 “may lead to the dismantling of BIE and violate or undermine Tribal sovereignty, existing federal law and the federal–Tribal government-to-government relationship.” The letter emphasized that Congress has already acted to support Tribal self-determination in education through the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988, allowing tribes—not federal mandates—to shape educational pathways
• Challenges in rural and remote communities: Tohono O’odham Nation Chairman Verlon Jose voiced concern that the school choice model does not align with the geographic realities of many BIE school communities. His letter to Secretary Burgum and BIE Director Tony Dearman noted that some areas of the nation span more than 100 miles across, with very limited access to alternative schools or transportation. Chairman Jose stated, “Community members in our most rural areas, particularly on the west side of the Nation… often lack access to reliable transportation and could not transport their children to even more distant schools.” He emphasized that federal education policy must not overlook local context, noting that diverting funds away from existing BIE schools, often the only educational option in such areas, could weaken Tribal education systems and increase educational disparities.
• Infrastructure limitations on school choice implementation: The Navajo Nation similarly raised concerns about the practicality of implementing school choice in Tribal communities. In public comments, the nation noted that 31 of its 66 BIE-funded schools are located in rural, broadband-limited areas. Delegate Vince James warned, “Our students deserve stability, not policies that risk school closures or reduced services in rural and underserved areas.” Tribal representatives stressed that education reform must account for the lack of viable alternative schools and the absence of reliable infrastructure, including internet and transportation.

What the BIE is proposing

The Bureau of Indian Education has developed draft mechanisms in response to this Tribal input and is seeking further feedback to ensure final implementation respects Tribal needs and priorities.

Highlights of the draft plan

•  $1.3 million reserved under Section 1003A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act for direct student services, including tutoring, dual enrollment, career and technical education, and advanced coursework
• Expansion of Tribal Education Department grants to promote local control and culturally grounded decision-making
• Provision of technical assistance for tribes interested in transitioning from BIE-operated to Tribally controlled schools under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988
• Development of postsecondary pathways tailored to Tribal students, including credit recovery and personalized learning models

How to participate or submit comments

Tribal feedback so far reflects a consistent message: any reforms related to school choice must protect Tribal sovereignty and be grounded in local context. While some see potential opportunities in expanded choice, many Tribal nations have voiced concerns about structural barriers, limited school alternatives and the risk of diverting funding away from existing BIE schools.

The upcoming Tribal consultation sessions offer a formal platform for continued dialogue. These sessions are a vital opportunity to ensure that proposed changes reflect the lived realities and priorities of Tribal communities, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach designed for more urban populations.

Submit written comments by July 25, 2025, via email at [email protected] or by mail to:

Ms. Juanita Mendoza

1849 C Street NW, MS 3609

Washington, DC 20240
 

Consultation schedule

These virtual consultation sessions offer a timely opportunity to review the proposed mechanisms and share critical input ahead of the 2025–26 implementation.

For questions or more information, contact Ms. Juanita Mendoza at 202-208-3559 or [email protected].

For a full overview of this executive order and supporting resources, visit: NIEA & Native Organizations