Advisory Groups

Negotiated Rulemaking Committee

Sections of the Law to be Negotiated:

1. Section 1116(g), which covers defining adequate yearly progress which is the essential measurement for determining that schools are providing quality education.
2. Section 1124, which covers establishing separate geographic attendance areas for each Bureau-funded
3. Section 1127, which covers establishing a formula for determining the minimum annual amount of funds necessary to fund each Bureau-funded school.
4. Section 1130, which covers establishing a system of direct funding and support of all Bureau-funded schools under the formula established under section 1127.
5. Section 1136, which covers establishing guidelines to ensure the constitutional and civil right of Indian students regarding the right to privacy, freedom of religion and expression, and due process in connection with disciplinary actions (suspension and expulsion).
6. Section 1043, which covers establishing a method for administration of grants under the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
7. Section 1121(d), which covers the closure and consolidation of schools.
8. Section 1122, which covers national criteria for home living situations.

Convening Report
Between August 9 and September 9, 2002, the Bureau of Indian affairs, the BIE held fourteen regional consultations offered by the BIA to Tribes throughout the country. The purpose of consultations was to obtain oral and written comments prior to establishing a Negotiated Rulemaking Committee under the No Child Left behind Act of 2001 for negotiation of regulations under the Act. Organized by the BIA Education Line Officer(s) in each region, the meeting welcomed tribal officials, parents, teachers, administrators, educators, school board members, and students at the Bureau-operated schools or Bureau-funded grant schools. Over 560 people attended these meetings.
To download a copy of the report, please click here.

The Advisory Board for Exceptional Children:

Dr. Billie Kipp
Dr. Billie Kipp was appointed to serve as Chairperson and is a member of the Blackfeet Tribe of Montana. She received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Montana. Currently, she is an Associate Scientist with the Southwest Alcohol Research Group at the University of New Mexico. Additionally, Dr. Kipp is a child psychologist for the Laguna Pueblo of New Mexico. Her Master's thesis focused on the effects of a Blackfeet cultural and language immersion program on Blackfeet children's intelligence, racial identity, and self-esteem. Her current research is investigating the differences of crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence in American Indian children and, in addition, those children with a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Dr. Kipp is committed to culturally responsive research and providing research that is useful for tribes.

Dr. Eugene R. Thompson
Dr. Eugene R. Thompson, Navajo, serves as the Secretary for the Advisory Board. He is the Director of Educational Leadership at the Center for Development & Disability, School of Medicine/Health Sciences Center at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Thompson received his doctorate in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arizona State University and has worked extensively on the Navajo Nation with students and adults with disabilities and their families. Dr. Thompson has been identified as an educational leader in special education and educational leadership nationally and internationally.

Dr. Marilyn Johnson
Dr. Marilyn Johnson is the Director of Division of Partners for Success, Laguna Department of Education, Laguna, New Mexico. She is a member of the Acoma, Pueblo, located in New Mexico. Dr. Johnson, has an undergraduate degree and Masters Degree in Special Education from the University of New Mexico, and holds a Doctorate in Education from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.

Thomas Albano
Thomas Albano is currently a Principal at the Miccosukee Indian School, in Miami, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a Master of Science in Social Studies Education from Florida International University, Miami Florida. He has attained several certifications in Adult Education Supervision, and Educational Leadership and Supervision.

Sharon Belanger
Sharon Belanger is currently a Special Education Coordinator at the Fond du Lac Ojibwe School in Cloquet, Minnesota. For the past ten years Sharon has taught as a general education teacher and as a Special Education teacher. Mrs. Belanger received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the California State University, Fullerton, California, and a Master's degree in Education, with a specialty area in Special Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Council of Exceptional Children and the Minnesota Special Education Advisory Council.

Sue Bement
Sue Bement is currently an Early Childhood Special Education Program Director, in White Earth, Minnesota. She is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe of Minnesota. She received an undergraduate degree in Special Education and is currently completing a Master's degree in Early Childhood/Special Education from the University of Moorhead, Moorhead, Minnesota.

Josephine Brewer
Josephine Brewer is currently a Principal at the Loneman School in Oglala, South Dakota. Josephine Brewer is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Ms. Brewer received her Bachelor of Science degree from the Oglala Lakota Community College, Kyle, South Dakota, and a Master's degree in Education Administration from South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota.

Delores Childs-Fullen
Delores Childs-Fullen is currently a fourth grade teacher at Salt River Elementary School in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a member of the Hia Ced O'odham/Tohono Nation located in Sells, Arizona, Mrs. Fullen received a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, and a Master of Arts in Education form the University of Phoenix. She has developed lessons following Arizona state standards with enrichment activities for the gifted, blending the lower level learners to participate at grade level. As a parent of a child with developmental delays and gifted areas it is her job to ensure that his education is effective to produce a well-rounded and contributing member of the community.

Arlene S. Davis
Arlene Davis is currently a teacher of severe multiple disabilities, at the Turtle Mountain Community High School. Ms. Davis is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. She received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary/Mental Retardation, and a Master's in Learning Disabilities from the Minot State University, Minot, North Dakota.

Dr. Paul Dauphinais
Dr. Paul Dauphinais is currently a School Psychologist for the Turtle Mountain Schools in Belcourt, ND. He is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa located in Belcourt, ND. Dr. Dauphinais holds a Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in Counseling Psychology. He has lived and worked as a school psychologist with the Turtle Mountain Reservation schools since 1981. Dr. Dauphinianis is the father of five grown children and several grandchildren, one of whom lives with him and lights up the lives of those he touches. Dr. Dauphinais' interests are in the mental health of young children and school-age children. He has experience in psycho-educational and emotional assessment of children, behavioral interventions and consultation with individual teachers as well as school-wide initiatives.

Caroline Draper
Caroline Draper is a Special Education teacher at Cottonwood Day School, in Chinle, Arizona. Ms. Draper has been a general education teacher for five years at Chinle Boarding School in Many Farms, Arizona. Ms. Draper received her undergraduate and Master's degree from Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona. She is a member of the Diné Nation and resides in Chinle, Arizona. She enjoys teaching Native children and seeks to expand their academic knowledge.

Franklin S. Hansen
Franklin S. Hansen is currently a Superintendent at Quileute Tribal School in LaPush, Washington. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Whitman College, and has continued to take classes to enhance his professional career. Franklin Hansen was named the Administrator of the Year 2004 by the National Indian School Board Association.

Twylah Robinelle Morris
Twylah R. Morris is currently a Special Education Coordinator at Rough Rock Community School in Chinle, Arizona. As a mother of four, one of whom having a disability, Twylah began working in the school system as a volunteer. Twylah Morris went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Diane Taylor-Owens
Diane Taylor-Owens is currently a Principal at Wingate Elementary School, Ft. Wingate, New Mexico. Diane Taylor-Owens is an enrolled member of the Northern Tsalagie, in southwest Virginia. Ms. Owens received a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Pittsburg State College, Pittsburg, Kansas and a Master degree in Guidance Counseling from Eastern Central University, Ada, Oklahoma. Diane Taylor continues to enhance her professional career by taking classes in Education Administration.

Monica White
Monica White is currently an instructor at the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Ojibwe Tribal School and LCO Community College, in Hayward, Wisconsin. She is a member of the Fond du Lac Ojibwa tribe in Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Mt. Senario College, Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and a Master of Arts in Education from Silver Lake College, Manitowoc, Wisconsin.