Washington, D.C. – Education, Interior and Labor Set Feb. 10 Tribal Consultation on Indian Education Partnership
Washington, D.C. — Tribal leaders are being invited to help shape a new three-agency effort that federal officials say is intended to strengthen services for Native students, including those in public schools, as the U.S. Department of Education expands its working agreements with the Departments of the Interior and Labor.
A Dear Tribal Leader letter sent Friday by Education Secretary Linda McMahon calls for an in-person consultation in Washington on Feb. 10, with a virtual option available. The session is scheduled for 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Eastern at the National Museum of the American Indian, and the department said attendees must register individually for security reasons.
The consultation centers on Indian Education Partnership interagency agreements under which Education would procure services from Interior and Labor for certain covered programs while keeping its statutory and policymaking authority, according to the department. Interior would take on a larger role supporting administration across K-12, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation tied to Indian education programs, while Labor would expand work around tribal set-asides and workforce pathways.
Education officials said the goal is meaningful input rom American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities, and noted that more than 90% of Native students attend public schools.
What parents should know: If you’re trying to understand how potential program shifts could affect school supports, ask your district’s Title VI Indian Education office (or your tribal education department) what federal programs your child’s school uses and whether any reporting or service-delivery changes are expected.
This article was produced by an education parenting today journalist with the assistance of AI. This is not legal advice. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
