Alaska Tribal School Program

(a) Definitions Section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (9) as paragraphs (2) through (10), respectively; and (2) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following: (1) Alaska tribal school The term Alaska Tribal school means a full-time public school program operated in Alaska by— (A) an Indian Tribe (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)); (B) a Tribal organization (as defined in that section); or (C) a public or public charter school that— (i) operates specifically to serve Alaska Native students; and (ii) has a resolution of support from an Indian Tribe (as so defined).. (b) Alaska Tribal school program (1) In general The Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 is amended— (A) by redesignating sections 5209 through 5212 (25 U.S.C. 2508 through 2511) as sections 5210 through 5213, respectively; and (B) by inserting after section 5208 the following: 5209. Alaska tribal school program (a) ISDEAA terms In this section, the terms Indian Tribe and Tribal organization have the meanings given those terms in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304). (b) Establishment The Secretary shall establish a program within the Department of the Interior to provide grants to— (1) Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations that operate a public or public charter school in Alaska that has been certified as an Alaska Tribal school by the Secretary; and (2) a public or public charter school operated specifically to serve Alaska Native students that— (A) has a resolution of support from an Indian Tribe; and (B) has been certified as an Alaska Tribal school by the Secretary. (c) Grant amounts (1) In general The Secretary shall determine the amounts of grants awarded under this section based on a per-student formula determined through a negotiated rulemaking with Alaska Tribal schools in existence on the date of enactment of the Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026. (2) Requirements The formula determined under paragraph (1) shall consider— (A) the hours served per day by the applicable Alaska Tribal school; (B) the grades served by the Alaska Tribal school; (C) the isolation of the Alaska Tribal school; (D) the cost of living of the area served by the Alaska Tribal school; and (E) additional costs associated with Native language programs, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Use of funds Except as otherwise provided in this section, a grant awarded under this section may be used for any of the following: (1) Expenditures for education-related activities, including school operations, academics, extracurricular programs, residential offerings, guidance and counseling, and administrative purposes. (2) Support services for the applicable Alaska Tribal school, including transportation. (e) Limitations (1) In general Not more than 1 grant may be awarded under this section with respect to any Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or public charter school each fiscal year. (2) No acquisition of real property or construction A grant awarded under this section may not be used— (A) to acquire real property; or (B) to construct a facility. (f) Application (1) Indian self-determination and education assistance act Indian Tribes may include funding provided under this section in contracts or compacts made with the Department of the Interior under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.). (2) Endowments Section 5212 shall apply to Alaska Tribal schools receiving a grant under this section. (g) Annual requirements (1) In general If the Secretary determines that an Alaska Tribal school is eligible for assistance under this section, the eligibility determination shall remain in effect until the determination is revoked by the Secretary. (2) Annual reports Each recipient of a grant awarded under this section shall complete, and submit to the applicable Tribal council and the Secretary, an annual report, which shall include— (A) a description of the activities carried out using grant funds; (B) information on how those activities supported student academic achievement, student well-being, and other student outcomes identified by the applicable Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; and (C) any recommendations on how to improve the program under this section. (h) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each fiscal year.. (2) Conforming amendments (A) Section 5204(b) of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2503(b)) is amended— (i) in paragraph (4)(A)— (I) by striking section 5204(a)(2) and inserting subsection (a)(2); and (II) by striking section 5204(a) and inserting subsection (a); and (ii) in each of paragraphs (4)(B)(iv) and (5)(B), by striking section 5209(e) and inserting section 5208(e). (B) Section 1001(a)(6) of the Energy Act of 2020 (42 U.S.C. 6371k(a)(6)) is amended by striking section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511)) and inserting section 5213 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988). (C) Section 741(a)(5)(A)(v) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 16091(a)(5)(A)(v)) is amended, in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking section 5212 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988 (25 U.S.C. 2511)) and inserting section 5213 of the Tribally Controlled Schools Act of 1988).