Indian Community Participation in the Impact Aid Program. Special Impact Aid Provisions for Local Education Agencies That Claim Children Residing on Indian Lands (Title VIII, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as Amended).

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17

American Indian Education; American Indian Reservations; Community Involvement; Educational Legislation; Elementary Secondary Education; Federal Aid; Federal Programs; Parent Participation; School Community Relationship; School Districts; School Funds; Tribes

The Impact Aid program provides federal assistance to local school districts that have lost revenue due to tax-exempt federal property, or have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children, including children living on Indian lands. This pamphlet explains the rights and responsibilities of schools, tribes, and parents in developing and implementing policies and procedures to insure that Indian children participate equally in school programs supported by Impact Aid funds. The responsibilities of local educational agencies (LEAs) to Indian communities are discussed, focusing on the development and implementation of Indian policies and procedures (IPPs) designed to improve communication and cooperation between the LEA and the Indian community. Two changes in the reauthorized Impact Aid Program (Title VIII, Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended) are highlighted and explained: (1) maintenance of IPP records at the local level, and (2) waivers of the IPP requirement. Tribal and parental responsibilities are also listed. Minimum standards for LEA IPPs are noted, with examples. Complaint and hearing procedures are briefly discussed. An appendix lists the definition of Indian lands relative to Impact Aid legislation. (SAS)

1998

ED415035