Dear Tribal Leader:
The Bureau of Indian Education (“BIE”) is responsible for ensuring that its implementation of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”)1 is consistent with federal law, including requirements at 20 U.S.C. §§ 1411(h)(2)(A) and 1412(a) and 34 C.F.R. § 300.708(a). Accordingly, BIE is proposing to update its IDEA policies and procedures that apply to BIE-funded schools.
The proposed policies cover ten topic areas as summarized below:
- Parental Consent, Involvement and Procedural Safeguards
- Referral and Determination of Eligibility
- Individual Education Program, IEP Development and Least Restrictive Environment
- Dispute Resolution
- Child Find
- Early Intervening Services
- Discipline
- Transition Services
- Exiting Special Education
- Confidentiality
The draft text is provided as an attachment.
The BIE looks forward to speaking with you at one of the following consultation sessions.
These sessions are intended for Tribal leaders, their designee or other Tribal community stakeholders.
- Friday, October 13, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 11 a.m. (MDT) | Virtual Zoom Registration Link:
https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuuhqDkoEgrSvVEjXFdk_lXGEoatrv4 - Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. (MDT) | National Indian Education Association Convention
401 2nd Street, NW, Room Ruidoso-Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM 87102 - Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | 9 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (CDT) | Courtyard by Marriott Bloomington Mall of America
7800 Bloomington Avenue, Bloomington, MN 55425
Additionally, details will also be posted on the BIE website at www.bie.edu/landing-page/consultations-initiatives.
In addition to joining one of the consultation sessions listed above, please submit any written comments to consultation@bia.gov or mail to Juanita Mendoza, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 3609, Washington, D.C. 20240 by November 13, 2023.
If you have any questions regarding the Tribal consultations, please contact Juanita Mendoza at 202-208-3559 or Juanita.mendoza@bie.edu.
Sincerely,
Tony L. Dearman
Director
Cc: Margo DeLaune, Associate Deputy Director, Division of Performance and Accountability, Acting Chief Academic Officer
Sharon Pinto, Associate Deputy Bureau Director, School Operations
Hankie Ortiz, Associate Deputy Director – Bureau Operated Schools
Cherie Poitra, Associate Deputy Director – Tribally Controlled Schools
Emily Arviso, Associate Deputy Director – Navajo Schools
Resources:
Updated IDEA Policies and Procedures for comment
Contact
Office of Communications
Bureau of Indian Education Central Office
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C Street NW, MIB-3610
Washington, DC 20240
Telephone: 202-208-4896
Email: biecommunications@bie.edu
