Consultations

The Bureau of Indian Education regularly holds consultation meetings with Tribes, school boards, parents and other interested parties as required in statute under Public Law 95-561, Section 1131. The purpose for these consultation meetings is to gather views from Indian country about education programs and initiatives that the BIE is considering for future implementation. Tribes, parents, schools and interested parties have the opportunity to consider, discuss and propose options for the resolution of issues and to offer alternatives to changes which the BIE may be considering.

Consultation meetings are conducted by Education Line Officers in communities near reservation areas. At these meetings, actions under consideration by the BIE are explained by BIE officials and public comments are solicited. Comments may be in writing or delivered orally at the meetings.

At the conclusion of the consultations, the comments are sent forward to the BIE's Branch of Planning whose staff summarize the information for the BIE Director to consider prior to making any decisions based on the impact these actions may have.