Overview

The federal government has a special obligation to certain schools -- those schools that educate the children of families who serve in the United States military and those that educate Native American children.

However, the federal obligation to these schools has often not been met, most notably in the area of school construction. These shortfalls can be addressed by increasing funds for construction in the Impact Aid Program and the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Approximately 700,000 dependents of military personnel are educated in public schools. More than three-quarters of these students are educated in 600 school districts located on or near military facilities. Funded by the Department of Education, these "Military Impacted Schools" are located throughout the country. Schools educating military dependents generally receive federal school construction funding from the Department of Defense's Education Activity program for DODEA schools located on military facilities, and through the Department of Education's "Impact Aid" program for other public schools located on or near such facilities.

During the 1999 school year, more than 50,000 children attended 185 Native American schools in 23 states. The majority of these schools managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) are concentrated in Arizona, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington State. Enrollment in BIA schools is growing, having increased by 25 percent since 1987. While more children are attending BIA schools, they are doing so in physical environments that are among the worst in the nation.

Summary of Proposals

Increases Funds to the Impact Aid Construction Program. Funds will improve the quality of public school buildings and eliminate the backlog of repairs and construction for schools on or near military facilities and those serving children from Native American lands.

Establishes a Tribal Capital Improvement Fund. Funds will help replace schools and eliminate the backlog of school repairs in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools.*