Title 25:
Indians
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PART 39�THE INDIAN SCHOOL EQUALIZATION PROGRAM
Section Contents
Subpart
A�General
� 39.1 What
is the purpose of this part?
� 39.2 What
definitions apply to terms in this part?
� 39.3 Information
collection.
Subpart
B�Indian School Equalization Formula
� 39.100 What
is the Indian School Equalization Formula?
� 39.101 Does
ISEF assess the actual cost of school operations?
Base
and Supplemental Funding
� 39.102 What
is academic base funding?
� 39.103 What
are the factors used to determine base funding?
� 39.104 How
must a school's base funding provide for students with
disabilities?
� 39.105 Are
additional funds available for special education?
� 39.106 Who
is eligible for special education funding?
� 39.107 Are
schools allotted supplemental funds for special student and/or school
costs?
Gifted
and Talented Programs
� 39.110 Can
ISEF funds be distributed for the use of gifted and talented
students?
� 39.111 What
does the term gifted and talented mean?
� 39.112 What
is the limit on the number of students who are gifted and
talented?
� 39.113 What
are the special accountability requirements for the gifted and talented
program?
� 39.114 What
characteristics may qualify a student as gifted and talented for purposes
of supplemental funding?
� 39.115 How
are eligible gifted and talented students identified and
nominated?
� 39.116 How
does a school determine who receives gifted and talented
services?
� 39.117 How
does a school provide gifted and talented services for a
student?
� 39.118 How
does a student receive gifted and talented services in subsequent
years?
� 39.119 When
must a student leave a gifted and talented program?
� 39.120 How
are gifted and talented services provided?
� 39.121 What
is the WSU for gifted and talented students?
Language
Development Programs
� 39.130 Can
ISEF funds be used for Language Development Programs?
� 39.131 What
is a Language Development Program?
� 39.132 Can
a school integrate Language Development programs into its regular
instructional program?
� 39.133 Who
decides how Language Development funds can be used?
� 39.134 How
does a school identify a Limited English Proficient
student?
� 39.135 What
services must be provided to an LEP student?
� 39.136 What
is the WSU for Language Development programs?
� 39.137 May
schools operate a language development program without a specific
appropriation from Congress?
Small
School Adjustment
� 39.140 How
does a school qualify for a Small School Adjustment?
� 39.141 What
is the amount of the Small School Adjustment?
� 39.143 What
is a small high school?
� 39.144 What
is the small high school adjustment?
� 39.145 Can
a school receive both a small school adjustment and a small high school
adjustment?
� 39.146 Is
there an adjustment for small residential programs?
Geographic
Isolation Adjustment
� 39.160 Does
ISEF provide supplemental funding for extraordinary costs related to a
school's geographic isolation?
Subpart
C�Administrative Procedures, Student Counts, and
Verifications
� 39.200 What
is the purpose of the Indian School Equalization
Formula?
� 39.201 Does
ISEF reflect the actual cost of school operations?
� 39.202 What
are the definitions of terms used in this subpart?
� 39.203 When
does OIEP calculate a school's allotment?
� 39.204 How
does OIEP calculate ADM?
� 39.205 How
does OIEP calculate a school's total WSUs for the school
year?
� 39.206 How
does OIEP calculate the value of one WSU?
� 39.207 How
does OIEP determine a school's funding for the school
year?
� 39.208 How
are ISEP funds distributed?
� 39.209 When
may a school count a student for membership purposes?
� 39.210 When
must a school drop a student from its membership?
� 39.211 What
other categories of students can a school count for membership
purposes?
� 39.212 Can
a student be counted as enrolled in more than one
school?
� 39.213 Will
the Bureau fund children being home schooled?
� 39.214 What
is the minimum number of instructional hours required in order to be
considered a full-time educational program?
� 39.215 Can
a school receive funding for any part-time students?
Residential
Programs
� 39.216 How
does ISEF fund residential programs?
� 39.217 How
are students counted for the purpose of funding residential
services?
� 39.218 Are
there different formulas for different levels of residential
services?
� 39.219 What
happens if a residential program does not maintain residency levels
required by this subpart?
� 39.220 What
reports must residential programs submit to comply with this
subpart?
� 39.221 What
is a full school month?
Phase-in
Period
� 39.230 How
will the provisions of this subpart be phased in?
Subpart
D�Accountability
� 39.401 What
is the purpose of this subpart?
� 39.402 What
definitions apply to terms used in this subpart?
� 39.403 What
certification is required?
� 39.404 What
is the certification and verification process?
� 39.405 How
will verifications be conducted?
� 39.406 What
documentation must the school maintain for additional services it
provides?
� 39.407 How
long must a school maintain records?
� 39.408 What
are the responsibilities of administrative officials?
� 39.409 How
does the OIEP Director ensure accountability?
� 39.410 What
qualifications must an audit firm meet to be considered for auditing ISEP
administration?
� 39.411 How
will the auditor report its findings?
� 39.412 What
sanctions apply for failure to comply with this
subpart?
� 39.413 Can
a school appeal the verification of the count?
Subpart
E�Contingency Fund
� 39.500 What
emergency and contingency funds are available?
� 39.501 What
is an emergency or unforeseen contingency?
� 39.502 How
does a school apply for contingency funds?
� 39.503 How
can a school use contingency funds?
� 39.504 May
schools carry over contingency funds to a subsequent fiscal
year?
� 39.505 What
are the reporting requirements for the use of the contingency
fund?
Subpart
F�School Board Training Expenses
� 39.600 Are
Bureau-operated school board expenses funded by ISEP
limited?
� 39.601 Is
school board training for Bureau-operated schools considered a school
board expense subject to the limitation?
� 39.603 Is
school board training required for all Bureau-funded
schools?
� 39.604 Is
there a separate weight for school board training at Bureau-operated
schools?
Subpart
G�Student Transportation
� 39.700 What
is the purpose of this subpart?
� 39.701 What
definitions apply to terms used in this subpart?
Eligibility
for Funds
� 39.702 Can
a school receive funds to transport residential students using commercial
transportation?
� 39.703 What
ground transportation costs are covered for students traveling by
commercial transportation?
� 39.704 Are
schools eligible to receive chaperone expenses to transport residential
students?
� 39.705 Are
schools eligible for transportation funds to transport special education
students?
� 39.706 Are
peripheral dormitories eligible for day transportation
funds?
� 39.707 Which
student transportation expenses are currently not eligible for Student
Transportation Funding?
� 39.708 Are
miles generated by non-ISEP eligible students eligible for transportation
funding?
Calculating
Transportation Miles
� 39.710 How
does a school calculate annual bus transportation miles for day
students?
� 39.711 How
does a school calculate annual bus transportation miles for residential
students?
Reporting
Requirements
� 39.720 Why
are there different reporting requirements for transportation
data?
� 39.721 What
transportation information must off-reservation boarding schools
report?
� 39.722 What
transportation information must day schools, on-reservation boarding
schools and peripheral dormitory schools report?
Miscellaneous
Provisions
� 39.730 Which
standards must student transportation vehicles meet?
� 39.731 Can
transportation time be used as instruction time for day school
students?
� 39.732 How
does OIEP allocate transportation funds to schools?
Subpart
H�Determining the Amount Necessary To Sustain an Academic or Residential
Program
� 39.801 What
is the formula to determine the amount necessary to sustain a school's
academic or residential program?
� 39.802 What
is the student unit value in the formula?
� 39.803 What
is a weighted student unit in the formula?
� 39.804 How
is the SUIV calculated?
� 39.805 What
was the student unit for instruction value (SUIV) for the school year
1999�2000?
� 39.806 How
is the SURV calculated?
� 39.807 How
will the Student Unit Value be adjusted annually?
� 39.808 What
definitions apply to this subpart?
� 39.809 Information
collection.
Subpart
I�Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair
Fund
� 39.900 Establishment
and funding of an Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair
Fund.
� 39.901 Conditions
for distribution.
� 39.902 Allocation.
� 39.903 Use
of funds.
� 39.904 Limitations.
Subpart
J�Administrative Cost Formula
� 39.1000 Purpose
and scope.
� 39.1001 Definitions.
� 39.1002 Allotment
of education administrative funds.
� 39.1003 Allotment
exception for FY 1991.
Subpart
K�Pre-kindergarten Programs
� 39.1100 Interim
fiscal year 1980 and fiscal year 1981 funding for pre-kindergarten
programs previously funded by the Bureau.
� 39.1101 Addition
of pre-kindergarten as a weight factor to the Indian School Equalization
Formula in fiscal year 1982.
Subpart
L�Contract School Operation and Maintenance
Fund
� 39.1200 Definitions.
� 39.1201 Establishment
of an interim fiscal year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract
schools.
� 39.1202 Distribution
of funds.
� 39.1203 Future
consideration of contract school operation and maintenance
funding.
Authority: 25 U.S.C. 13, 2008; Public
Law 107�110, 115 Stat. 1425.
Source: 44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979,
unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30,
1982.
Subpart A�General
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.1 What is the purpose of this
part?
top
This part provides for the uniform direct funding of Bureau-operated
and tribally operated day schools, boarding schools, and dormitories. This
part applies to all schools, dormitories, and administrative units that
are funded through the Indian School Equalization Program of the Bureau of
Indian Affairs.
� 39.2 What definitions apply to terms in this
part?
top
Act means the No Child Left Behind Act, Public Law 107�110,
enacted January 8, 2002. The No Child Left Behind Act reauthorizes and
amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the amended
Education Amendments of 1978.
Agency means an organizational unit of the Bureau which provides
direct services to the governing body or bodies and members of one or more
specified Indian Tribes. The term includes Bureau Area Offices only with
respect to off-reservation boarding schools administered directly by such
Offices.
Agency school board means a body, the members of which are
appointed by the school boards of the schools located within such agency,
and the number of such members shall be determined by the Director in
consultation with the affected tribes, except that, in agencies serving a
single school, the school board of such school shall fulfill these
duties.
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Indian
Affairs, Department of the Interior, or his or her designee.
At no cost means provided without charge, but does not preclude
incidental fees normally charged to non-disabled students or their parents
as a part of the regular education program.
Average Daily Membership (ADM) means the aggregated
ISEP-eligible membership of a school for a school year, divided by the
number of school days in the school's submitted calendar.
Basic program means the instructional program provided to all
students at any age level exclusive of any supplemental programs that are
not provided to all students in day or boarding schools.
Basic transportation miles means the daily average of all bus
miles logged for round trip home-to-school transportation of day
students.
Bureau means the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the Department of
the Interior.
Bureau-funded school means
(1) Bureau school;
(2) A contract or grant school; or
(3) A school for which assistance is provided under the Tribally
Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
Bureau school means a Bureau-operated elementary or secondary
day or boarding school or a Bureau-operated dormitory for students
attending a school other than a Bureau school.
Count Week means the last full week in September during which
schools count their student enrollment for ISEP purposes.
Director means the Director of the Office of Indian Education
Programs in the Bureau of Indian Affairs or a designee.
Education Line Officer means the Bureau official in charge of
Bureau education programs and functions in an Agency who reports to the
Director.
Eligible Indian student means a student who:
(1) Is a member of, or is at least one-fourth degree Indian blood
descendant of a member of, a tribe that is eligible for the special
programs and services provided by the United States through the Bureau of
Indian Affairs to Indians because of their status as Indians;
(2) Resides on or near a reservation or meets the criteria for
attendance at a Bureau off-reservation home-living school; and
(3) Is enrolled in a Bureau-funded school.
Home schooled means a student who is not enrolled in a school
and is receiving educational services at home at the parent's or
guardian's initiative.
Homebound means a student who is educated outside the
classroom.
Individual supplemental services means non-base academic
services provided to eligible students. Individual supplemental services
that are funded by additional WSUs are gifted and talented or language
development services.
ISEP means the Indian School Equalization Program.
Limited English Proficient (LEP) means a child from a language
background other than English who needs language assistance in his/her own
language or in English in the schools. This child has sufficient
difficulty speaking, writing, or understanding English to deny him/her the
opportunity to learn successfully in English-only classrooms and meets one
or more of the following conditions:
(1) The child was born outside of the United States or the child's
Native language is not English;
(2) The child comes from an environment where a language other than
English is dominant; or
(3) The child is an American Indian or Alaska Native and comes from an
environment where a language other than English has had a significant
impact on the child's level of English language proficiency.
Local School Board means a body chosen in accordance with the
laws of the tribe to be served or, in the absence of such laws, elected by
the parents of the Indian children attending the school. For a school
serving a substantial number of students from different tribes:
(1) The members of the local school board shall be appointed by the
tribal governing bodies affected; and
(2) The Secretary shall determine number of members in consultation
with the affected tribes.
OIEP means the Office of Indian Education Programs in the Bureau
of Indian Affairs.
Physical education means the development of physical and motor
fitness, fundamental motor skills and patterns, and skills in aquatics,
dance, and individual and group games and sports (including intramural and
lifetime sports). The term includes special physical education, adapted
physical education, movement education, and motor development.
Resident means a student who is residing at a boarding school or
dormitory during the weeks when student membership counts are conducted
and is either:
(1) A member of the instructional program in the same boarding school
in which the student is counted as a resident; or
(2) Enrolled in and a current member of a public school or another
Bureau-funded school.
Residential program means a program that provides room and board
in a boarding school or dormitory to residents who are either:
(1) Enrolled in and are current members of a public school or
Bureau-funded school; or
(2) Members of the instructional program in the same boarding school in
which they are counted as residents and:
(i) Are officially enrolled in the residential program of a
Bureau-operated or -funded school; and
(ii) Are actually receiving supplemental services provided to all
students who are provided room and board in a boarding school or a
dormitory.
Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or a designated
representative.
School means a school funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
The term �school� does not include public, charter, or private
schools.
School bus means a passenger vehicle that is:
(1) Used to transport day students to and/or from home and the school;
and
(2) Operated by an operator in the employ of, or under contract to, a
Bureau-funded school, who is qualified to operate such a vehicle under
Tribal, State or Federal regulations governing the transportation of
students.
School day means a day as defined by the submitted school
calendar, as long as annual instructional hours are as they are reflected
in �39.213, excluding passing time, lunch, recess, and breaks.
Special education means:
(1) Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet
the unique needs of a child with a disability, including:
(i) Instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals
and institutions, and in other settings; and
(ii) Instruction in physical education.
(2) The term includes each of the following, if it meets the
requirements of paragraph (1) of this definition:
(i) Speech-language pathology services, or any other related service,
if the service is considered special education rather than a related
service under State standards;
(1) Travel training; and
(2) Vocational education.
Specially designed instruction means adapting, as appropriate,
to the needs of an eligible child under this part, the content,
methodology, or delivery or instruction:
(1) To address the unique needs of the child that result from the
child's disability; and
(2) To ensure access of the child to the general curriculum, so that he
or she can meet the educational standards within the jurisdiction of the
public agency that apply to all children
Three-year average means:
(1) For academic programs, the average daily membership of the 3 years
before the current year of operation; and
(2) For the residential programs, the count period membership of the 3
years before the current year of operation.
Travel training means providing instruction, as appropriate, to
children with significant cognitive disabilities, and any other children
with disabilities who require this instruction, to enable them to:
(1) Develop an awareness of the environment in which they live; and
(2) Learn the skills necessary to move efficiently and safely from
place to place within that environment ( e.g., in school, in the
home, at work, and in the community).
Tribally operated school means an elementary school, secondary
school, or dormitory that receives financial assistance for its operation
under a contract, grant, or agreement with the Bureau under section 102,
103(a), or 208 of 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq., or under the Tribally
Controlled Schools Act of 1988.
Vocational education means organized educational programs that
are directly related to the preparation of individuals for paid or unpaid
employment, or for additional preparation for a career requiring other
than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.
Unimproved roads means unengineered earth roads that do not have
adequate gravel or other aggregate surface materials applied and do not
have drainage ditches or shoulders.
Weighted Student Unit means:
(1) The measure of student membership adjusted by the weights or ratios
used as factors in the Indian School Equalization Formula; and
(2) The factor used to adjust the weighted student count at any school
as the result of other adjustments made under this part.
� 39.3 Information collection.
top
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with a collection of information, subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. )
(PRA), unless that collection of information displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. This part contains
in ��39.410 and 39.502 collections of information subject to the PRA.
These collections have been approved by OMB under control number
1076�0163.
Subpart B�Indian School Equalization Formula
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.100 What is the Indian School Equalization
Formula?
top
The Indian School Equalization Formula (ISEF) was established to
allocate Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP) funds. OIEP applies
ISEF to determine funding allocation for Bureau-funded schools as
described in ��39.204 through 39.206.
� 39.101 Does ISEF assess the actual cost of
school operations?
top
No. ISEF does not attempt to assess the actual cost of school
operations either at the local level or in the aggregate at the national
level. ISEF provides a method of distribution of funds appropriated by
Congress for all schools.
Base and Supplemental Funding
top
� 39.102 What is academic base
funding?
top
Academic base funding is the ADM times the weighted student unit.
� 39.103 What are the factors used to determine
base funding?
top
To determine base funding, schools must use the factors shown in the
following table. The school must apply the appropriate factor to each
student for funding purposes.
Grade level |
Base academic funding factor |
Base residential funding
factor |
Kindergarten |
1.15 |
NA |
Grades 1�3 |
1.38 |
1.75 |
Grades 4�6 |
1.15 |
1.6 |
Grades 7�8 |
1.38 |
1.6 |
Grades 9�12 |
1.5 |
1.6 |
� 39.104 How must a school's base funding
provide for students with disabilities?
top
(a) Each school must provide for students with disabilities by:
(1) Reserving 15 percent of academic base funding to support special
education programs; and
(2) Providing resources through residential base funding to meet the
needs of students with disabilities under the National Criteria for
Home-Living Situations.
(b) A school may spend all or part of the 15 percent academic base
funding reserved under paragraph (a)(1) of this section on school-wide
programs to benefit all students (including those without disabilities)
only if the school can document that it has met all needs of students with
disabilities with such funds, and after having done so, there are unspent
funds remaining from such funds.
� 39.105 Are additional funds available for
special education?
top
(a) Schools may supplement the 15 percent base academic funding
reserved under �39.104 for special education with funds available under
part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). To
obtain part B funds, the school must submit an application to OIEP. IDEA
funds are available only if the school demonstrates that funds reserved
under �39.104(a) are inadequate to pay for services needed by all eligible
ISEP students with disabilities.
(b) The Bureau will facilitate the delivery of IDEA part B funding
by:
(1) Providing technical assistance to schools in completing the
application for the funds; and
(2) Providing training to Bureau staff to improve the delivery of part
B funds.
� 39.106 Who is eligible for special education
funding?
top
To receive ISEP special education funding, a student must be under 22
years old and must not have received a high school diploma or its
equivalent on the first day of eligible attendance. The following minimum
age requirements also apply:
(a) To be counted as a kindergarten student, a child must be at least 5
years old by December 31; and
(b) To be counted as a first grade student; a child must be at least 6
years old by December 31.
� 39.107 Are schools allotted supplemental funds
for special student and/or school costs?
top
Yes, schools are allotted supplemental funds for special student and/or
school costs. ISEF provides additional funds to schools through add-on
weights (called special cost factors). ISEF adds special cost factors as
shown in the following table.
Cost Factor |
For more information see |
Gifted and talented
students |
��39.110 through 39.121 |
Students with language
development needs |
��39.130 through 39.137 |
Small school size |
��39.140 through 39.156 |
Geographic isolation of
the school |
�39.160 |
Gifted and Talented Programs
top
� 39.110 Can ISEF funds be distributed for the
use of gifted and talented students?
top
Yes, ISEF funds can be distributed for the provision of services for
gifted and talented students.
� 39.111 What does the term gifted and talented
mean?
top
The term gifted and talented means students, children, or youth
who:
(a) Give evidence of high achievement capability in areas such as
intellectual, creative, artistic, or leadership capacity, or in specific
academic fields; and
(b) Need services or activities not ordinarily provided by the school
in order to fully develop those capabilities.
� 39.112 What is the limit on the number of
students who are gifted and talented?
top
There is no limit on the number of students that a school can classify
as gifted and talented.
� 39.113 What are the special accountability
requirements for the gifted and talented program?
top
If a school identifies more than 13 percent of its student population
as gifted and talented the Bureau will immediately audit the school's
gifted and talented program to ensure that all identified students:
(a) Meet the gifted and talented requirement in the regulations;
and
(b) Are receiving gifted and talented services.
� 39.114 What characteristics may qualify a
student as gifted and talented for purposes of supplemental
funding?
top
To be funded as gifted and talented under this part, a student must be
identified as gifted and talented in at least one of the following
areas.
(a) Intellectual Ability means scoring in the top 5 percent on a
statistically valid and reliable measurement tool of intellectual
ability.
(b) Creativity/Divergent Thinking means scoring in the top 5
percent of performance on a statistically valid and reliable measurement
tool of creativity/divergent thinking.
(c) Academic Aptitude/Achievement means scoring in the top 15
percent of academic performance in a total subject area score on a
statistically valid and reliable measurement tool of academic
achievement/aptitude, or a standardized assessment, such as an NRT or
CRT.
(d) Leadership means the student is recognized as possessing the
ability to lead, guide, or influence the actions of others as measured by
objective standards that a reasonable person of the community would
believe demonstrates that the student possess leadership skills. These
standards include evidence from surveys, supportive documentation
portfolios, elected or appointed positions in school, community, clubs and
organization, awards documenting leadership capabilities. No school can
identify more than 15 percent of its student population as gifted and
talented through the leadership category.
(e) Visual and Performing Arts means outstanding ability to
excel in any imaginative art form; including, but not limited to, drawing,
printing, sculpture, jewelry making, music, dance, speech, debate, or
drama as documented from surveys, supportive documentation portfolios,
awards from judged or juried competitions. No school can identify more
than 15 percent of its student population as gifted and talented through
the visual and performing arts category.
� 39.115 How are eligible gifted and talented
students identified and nominated?
top
(a) Screening can be completed annually to identify potentially
eligible students. A student may be nominated for gifted and talented
designation using the criteria in �39.114 by any of the following:
(1) A teacher or other school staff;
(2) Another student;
(3) A community member;
(4) A parent or legal guardian; or
(5) The student himself or herself.
(b) Students can be nominated based on information regarding the
student's abilities from any of the following sources:
(1) Collections of work;
(2) Audio/visual tapes;
(3) School grades;
(4) Judgment of work by qualified individuals knowledgeable about the
student's performances ( e.g. , artists, musicians, poets,
historians, etc.);
(5) Interviews or observations; or
(6) Information from other sources.
(c) The school must have written parental consent to collect
documentation of gifts and talents under paragraph (b) of this
section.
� 39.116 How does a school determine who
receives gifted and talented services?
top
(a) To determine who receives gifted and talented funding, the school
must use qualified professionals to perform a multi-disciplinary
assessment. The assessment may include the examination of work samples or
performance appropriate to the area under consideration. The school must
have the parent or guardian's written permission to conduct individual
assessments or evaluations. Assessments under this section must meet the
following standards:
(1) The assessment must use assessment instruments specified in �39.114
for each of the five criteria for which the student is nominated;
(2) If the assessment uses a multi-criteria evaluation, that evaluation
must be an unbiased evaluation based on student needs and abilities;
(3) Indicators for visual and performing arts and leadership may be
determined based on national, regional, or local criteria; and
(4) The assessment may use student portfolios.
(b) A multi-disciplinary team will review the assessment results to
determine eligibility for gifted and talented services. The purpose of the
team is to determine eligibility and placement to receive gifted and
talented services.
(1) Team members may include nominator, classroom teacher, qualified
professional who conducted the assessment, local experts as needed, and
other appropriate personnel such as the principal and/or a counselor.
(2) A minimum of three team members is required to determine
eligibility.
(3) The team will design a specific education plan to provide gifted
and talented services related in the areas identified.
� 39.117 How does a school provide gifted and
talented services for a student?
top
Gifted and talented services are provided through or under the
supervision of highly qualified professional teachers. To provide gifted
and talented services for a student, a school must take the steps in this
section.
(a) The multi-disciplinary team formed under �39.116(b) will sign a
statement of agreement for placement of services based on documentation
reviewed.
(b) The student's parent or guardian must give written permission for
the student to participate.
(c) The school must develop a specific education plan that
contains:
(1) The date of placement;
(2) The date services will begin;
(3) The criterion from �39.114 for which the student is receiving
services and the student's performance level;
(4) Measurable goals and objectives; and
(5) A list of staff responsible for each service that the school is
providing.
� 39.118 How does a student receive gifted and
talented services in subsequent years?
top
For each student receiving gifted and talented services, the school
must conduct a yearly evaluation of progress, file timely progress
reports, and update the specific education plan.
(a) If a school identifies a student as gifted and talented based on
�39.114 (a), (b), or (c), then the student does not need to reapply for
the gifted and talented program. However, the student must be reevaluated
at least every 3 years through the 10th grade to verify eligibility for
funding.
(b) If a school identifies a student as gifted and talented based on
�39.114 (d) or (e), the student must be reevaluated annually for the
gifted and talented program.
� 39.119 When must a student leave a gifted and
talented program?
top
A student must leave the gifted and talented program when either:
(a) The student has received all of the available services that can
meet the student's needs;
(b) The student no longer meets the criteria that have qualified him or
her for the program; or
(c) The parent or guardian removes the student from the program.
� 39.120 How are gifted and talented services
provided?
top
In providing services under this section, the school must:
(a) Provide a variety of programming services to meet the needs of the
students;
(b) Provide the type and duration of services identified in the
Individual Education Plan established for each student; and
(c) Maintain individual student files to provide documentation of
process and services; and
(d) Maintain confidentiality of student records under the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
� 39.121 What is the WSU for gifted and talented
students?
top
The WSU for a gifted and talented student is the base academic weight
(see �39.103) subtracted from 2.0. The following table shows the gifted
and talented weights obtained using this procedure.
Grade level |
Gifted and talented WSU |
Kindergarten |
0.85 |
Grades 1 to 3 |
0.62 |
Grades 4 to 6 |
0.85 |
Grades 7 to 8 |
0.62 |
Grades 9 to 12 |
0.50 |
Language Development Programs
top
� 39.130 Can ISEF funds be used for Language
Development Programs?
top
Yes, schools can use ISEF funds to implement Language Development
programs that demonstrate the positive effects of Native language programs
on students' academic success and English proficiency. Funds can be
distributed to a total aggregate instructional weight of 0.13 for each
eligible student.
� 39.131 What is a Language Development
Program?
top
A Language Development program is one that serves students who
either:
(a) Are not proficient in spoken or written English;
(b) Are not proficient in any language;
(c) Are learning their Native language for the purpose of maintenance
or language restoration and enhancement;
(d) Are being instructed in their Native language; or
(e) Are learning non-language subjects in their Native language.
� 39.132 Can a school integrate Language
Development programs into its regular instructional program?
top
A school may offer Language Development programs to students as part of
its regular academic program. Language Development does not have to be
offered as a stand-alone program.
� 39.133 Who decides how Language Development
funds can be used?
top
Tribal governing bodies or local school boards decide how their funds
for Language Development programs will be used in the instructional
program to meet the needs of their students.
� 39.134 How does a school identify a Limited
English Proficient student?
top
A student is identified as limited English proficient (LEP) by using a
nationally recognized scientifically research-based test.
� 39.135 What services must be provided to an
LEP student?
top
A school must provide services that assist each LEP student to:
(a) Become proficient in English and, to the extent possible,
proficient in their Native language; and
(b) Meet the same challenging academic content and student academic
achievement standards that all students are expected to meet under 20
U.S.C. 6311(b)(1).
� 39.136 What is the WSU for Language
Development programs?
top
Language Development programs are funded at 0.13 WSUs per
student.
� 39.137 May schools operate a language
development program without a specific appropriation from
Congress?
top
Yes, a school may operate a language development program without a
specific appropriation from Congress, but any funds used for such a
program must come from existing ISEP funds. When Congress specifically
appropriates funds for Indian or Native languages, the factor to support
the language development program will be no more than 0.25 WSU.
Small School Adjustment
top
� 39.140 How does a school qualify for a Small
School Adjustment?
top
A school will receive a small school adjustment if either:
(a) Its average daily membership (ADM) is less than 100 students;
or
(b) It serves lower grades and has a diploma-awarding high school
component with an average instructional daily membership of less than 100
students.
� 39.141 What is the amount of the Small School
Adjustment?
top
(a) A school with a 3-year ADM of 50 or fewer students will receive an
adjustment equivalent to an additional 12.5 base WSU; or
(b) A school with a 3-year ADM of 51 to 99 students will use the
following formula to determine the number of WSU for its adjustment. With
X being the ADM, the formula is as follows:
WSU adjustment = ((100−X)/200)*X
� 39.143 What is a small high school?
top
For purposes of this part, a small high school:
(a) Is accredited under 25 U.S.C. 2001(b);
(b) Is staffed with highly qualified teachers;
(c) Operates any combination of grades 9 through 12;
(d) Offers high school diplomas; and
(e) Has an ADM of fewer than 100 students.
� 39.144 What is the small high school
adjustment?
top
(a) The small high school adjustment is a WSU adjustment given to a
small high school that meets both of the following criteria:
(1) It has a 3-year average daily membership (ADM) of less than 100
students; and
(2) It operates as part of a school that during the 2003�04 school year
also included lower grades.
(b) The following table shows the WSU adjustment given to small high
schools. In the table, �X� stands for the ADM.
ADM of high school component |
Amount of small high school
adjustment |
School receives a component small
school adjustment under �39.141 |
50 or fewer students |
6.25 base WSU |
Yes. |
51 to 99 students |
determined using the following
formula: WSU = ((100�X)/200)*X/2 |
Yes. |
50 or fewer students |
12.5 base WSU |
No. |
51 to 99 students |
determined using the following
formula: WSU = ((100�X)/200)*X |
No. |
� 39.145 Can a school receive both a small
school adjustment and a small high school adjustment?
top
A school that meets the criteria in �39.140 can receive both a small
school adjustment and a small high school adjustment. The following table
shows the total amount of adjustments for eligible schools by average
daily membership (ADM) category.
ADM�entire school |
ADM�high school component |
Small school adjustment |
Small high school adjustment |
Total adjustment |
1�50 |
NA |
12.5 |
NA |
12.5 |
1�50 |
1�50 |
12.5 |
6.25 |
18.75 |
51�99 |
1�50 |
212.5�0.5 |
6.25 |
18.75�6.75 |
51�99 |
51�99 |
112.5�0.5 |
26.25�0.25 |
18.75�0.7 |
99 |
1�50 |
0.5 |
12.5 |
12.5 |
99 |
51�99 |
0.5 |
212.5�0.5 |
12.5�0.5 |
� 39.146 Is there an adjustment for small
residential programs?
top
In order to compensate for the additional costs of operating a small
residential program, OIEP will add to the total WSUs of each qualifying
school as shown in the following table:
Type of residential program |
Number of WSUs added |
Residential student count
of 50 or fewer ISEP-eligible students |
12.5. |
Residential student count
of between 51 and 99 ISEP-eligible students |
Determined by the formula
((100-X)/200))X, where X equals the residential student
count. |
Geographic Isolation Adjustment
top
� 39.160 Does ISEF provide supplemental funding
for extraordinary costs related to a school's geographic
isolation?
top
Yes. Havasupai Elementary School, for as long as it remains in its
present location, will be awarded an additional cost factor of 12.5
WSU.
Subpart C�Administrative Procedures, Student Counts, and
Verifications
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.200 What is the purpose of the Indian
School Equalization Formula?
top
OIEP uses the Indian School Equalization Formula (ISEF) to distribute
Indian School Equalization Program (ISEP) appropriations equitably to
Bureau-funded schools.
� 39.201 Does ISEF reflect the actual cost of
school operations?
top
ISEF does not attempt to assess the actual cost of school operations
either at the local school level or in the aggregate nationally. ISEF is a
relative distribution of available funds at the local school level by
comparison with all other Bureau-funded schools.
� 39.202 What are the definitions of terms used
in this subpart?
top
Homebound means a student who is educated outside the
classroom.
Home schooled means a student who is not enrolled in a school
and is receiving educational services at home at the parent's or
guardian's initiative.
School day means a day as defined by the submitted school
calendar, as long as annual instructional hours are as they are reflected
in �39.213, excluding passing time, lunch, recess, and breaks.
Three-year average means:
(1) For academic programs, the average daily membership of the 3 years
before the current year of operation; and
(2) For the residential programs, the count period membership of the 3
years before the current year of operation.
� 39.203 When does OIEP calculate a school's
allotment?
top
OIEP calculates a school's allotment no later than July 1. Schools must
submit final ADM enrollment figures no later than June 15.
� 39.204 How does OIEP calculate ADM?
top
OIEP calculates ADM by:
(a) Adding the total enrollment figures from periodic reports received
from each Bureau-funded school; and
(b) Dividing the total enrollment for each school by the number of days
in the school's reporting period.
� 39.205 How does OIEP calculate a school's
total WSUs for the school year?
top
(a) OIEP will add the weights obtained from the calculations in
paragraphs (a)(1), (a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section to obtain the total
weighted student units (WSUs) for each school.
(1) Each year's ADM is multiplied by the applicable weighted student
unit for each grade level;
(2) Calculate any supplemental WSUs generated by the students; and
(3) Calculate any supplemental WSUs generated by the schools.
(b) The total WSU for the school year is the sum of paragraphs (a)(1),
(a)(2), and (a)(3) of this section.
� 39.206 How does OIEP calculate the value of
one WSU?
top
(a) To calculate the appropriated dollar value of one WSU, OIEP divides
the systemwide average number of WSUs for the previous 3 years into the
current year's appropriation.
(b) To calculate the average WSU for a 3-year period:
(1) Step 1. Add together each year's total WSU (calculated under
paragraph (b) of this section); and
(2) Step 2. Divide the sum obtained in step 1 by 3.
� 39.207 How does OIEP determine a school's
funding for the school year?
top
To determine a school's funding for the school year, OIEP uses the
following seven-step process:
(a) Step 1. Multiply the appropriate base academic and/or
residential weight from �39.103 by the number of students in each grade
level category.
(b) Step 2. Multiply the number of students eligible for
supplemental program funding under �39.107 by the weights for the
program.
(c) Step 3. Calculate the school-based supplemental weights
under �639.107.
(d) Step 4. Add together the sums obtained in steps 1 through 3
to obtain each school's total WSU.
(e) Step 5. Add together the total WSUs for all Bureau-funded
schools.
(f) Step 6. Calculate the value of a WSU by dividing the current
school year's funds by the average total WSUs as calculated under step 5
for the previous 3 years.
(g) Step 7. Multiply each school's WSU total by the base value
of one WSU to determine funding for that school.
� 39.208 How are ISEP funds
distributed?
top
(a) On July 1, schools will receive 80 percent of their funds as
determined in �39.207.
(b) On December 1, the balance will be distributed to all schools after
verification of the school count and any adjustments made through the
appeals process for the third year.
� 39.209 When may a school count a student for
membership purposes?
top
If a student is enrolled, is in attendance during any of the first 10
days of school, and receives at least 5 days' instruction, the student is
deemed to be enrolled all 10 days and shall be counted for ADM purposes.
The first 10 days of school, for purposes of this section, are determined
by the calendar that the school submits to OIEP.
(a) For ISEP purposes, a school can add a student to the membership
when he or she has been enrolled and has received a full day of
instruction from the school.
(b) Except as provided in �39.210, to be counted for ADM, a student
dropped under �39.209 must:
(1) Be re-enrolled; and
(2) Receive a full day of instruction from the school.
� 39.210 When must a school drop a student from
its membership?
top
If a student is absent for 10 consecutive school days, the school must
drop that student from the membership for ISEP purposes of that school on
the 11th day.
� 39.211 What other categories of students can a
school count for membership purposes?
top
A school can count other categories of students for membership purposes
as shown in the following table.
Type of student |
Circumstances under which student
can be included in the school's membership |
(a) Homebound |
(1) The student is temporarily
confined to the home for some or all of the school day for medical,
family emergency, or other reasons required by law or
regulation; (2) The student is being provided by the school with
at least 5 documented contact hours each week of academic services
by certified educational personnel; and (3) Appropriate
documentations is on file at the school. |
(b) Located in an
institutional setting outside of the school |
The school is either: (1) Paying
for the student to receive educational services from the facility;
or (2) Providing educational services by certified school staff
for at least 5 documented contact hours each week. |
(c) Taking college courses
during the school day |
The student is both: (1)
Concurrently enrolled in, and receiving credits for both the
school's courses and college courses; and (2) In physical
attendance at the school at least 3 documented contact hours per
day. |
(d) Taking distance
learning courses |
The student is both: (1)
Receiving high school credit for grades; and (2) In physical
attendance at the school at least 3 documented contact hours per
day. |
(e) Taking internet
courses |
The student is both: (1)
Receiving high school credit for grades; and (2) Taking the
courses at the school site under a teacher's
supervision. |
� 39.212 Can a student be counted as enrolled in
more than one school?
top
Yes, if a student attends more than one school during an academic year,
each school may count the student as enrolled once the student meets the
criteria in 39.209.
� 39.213 Will the Bureau fund children being
home schooled?
top
No, the Bureau will not fund any child that is being home
schooled.
� 39.214 What is the minimum number of
instructional hours required in order to be considered a full-time
educational program?
top
A full time program provides the following number of
instructional/student hours to the corresponding grade level:
Grade |
Hours |
K |
720 |
1�3 |
810 |
4�8 |
900 |
9�12 |
970 |
� 39.215 Can a school receive funding for any
part-time students?
top
(a) A school can receive funding for the following part-time
students:
(1) Kindergarten students enrolled in a 2-hour program; and
(2) Grade 7�12 students enrolled in at least half but less than a full
instructional day.
(b) The school must count students classified as part-time at 50
percent of their basic instructional WSU value.
Residential Programs
top
� 39.216 How does ISEF fund residential
programs?
top
Residential programs are funded on a WSU basis using a formula that
takes into account the number of nights of service per week. Funding for
residential programs is based on the average of the 3 previous years'
residential WSUs.
� 39.217 How are students counted for the
purpose of funding residential services?
top
For a student to be considered in residence for purposes of this
subpart, the school must be able to document that the student was:
(a) In residence at least one night during the first full week of
October;
(b) In residence at least one night during the week preceding the first
full week in October;
(c) In residence at least one night during the week following the first
full week in October; and
(d) Present for both the after school count and the midnight count at
least one night during each week specified in this section.
� 39.218 Are there different formulas for
different levels of residential services?
top
(a) Residential services are funded as shown in the following
table:
If a residential program operates .
. . |
Each student is funded at the level
of . . . |
(1) 4 nights per week or
less |
Total WSU � 4/7. |
(2) 5, 6 or 7 nights per
week |
Total WSU �
7/7. |
(b) In order to qualify for residential services funding under
paragraph (a)(2) of this section, a school must document that at least 10
percent of residents are present on 3 of the 4 weekends during the count
period.
(c) At least 50 percent of the residency levels established during the
count period must be maintained every month for the remainder of the
school year.
(d) A school may obtain waivers from the requirements of this section
if there are health or safety justifications.
� 39.219 What happens if a residential program
does not maintain residency levels required by this subpart?
top
Each school must maintain its declared nights of service per week as
certified in its submitted school calendar. For each month that a school
does not maintain 25 percent of the residency shown in its submitted
calendar, the school will lose one-tenth of its current year
allocation.
� 39.220 What reports must residential programs
submit to comply with this subpart?
top
Residential programs must report their monthly counts to the Director
on the last school day of the month. To be counted, a student must have
been in residence at least 10 nights during each full school month.
� 39.221 What is a full school month?
top
A full school month is each 30-day period following the first day that
residential services are provided to students based on the school
residential calendar.
Phase-in Period
top
� 39.230 How will the provisions of this subpart
be phased in?
top
The calculation of the three-year rolling average of ADM for each
school and for the entire Bureau-funded school system will be phased-in as
shown in the following table.
Time period |
How OIEP must calculate ADM |
(a) First school year
after May 31, 2005 |
Use the prior 3 years' count period
to create membership for funding purposes |
(b) Second school year
after May 31, 2005 |
(1) The academic program will use
the previous year's ADM school year and the 2 prior years' count
periods; and (2) The residential program will use the previous
year's count period and the 2 prior years' count weeks |
(c) Each succeeding school
year after May 31, 2005 |
Add one year of ADM or count period
and drop one year of prior count weeks until both systems are
operating on a 3-year rolling average using the previous 3 years'
count after period or ADM,
respectively. |
Subpart D�Accountability
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.401 What is the purpose of this
subpart?
top
The purpose of this subpart is to ensure accountability of
administrative officials by creating procedures that are systematic and
can be verified by a random independent outside auditing procedures. These
procedures will ensure the equitable distribution of funds among
schools.
� 39.402 What definitions apply to terms used in
this subpart?
top
Administrative officials means any persons responsible for
managing and operating a school, including the school supervisor, the
chief school administrator, tribal officials, Education Line Officers, and
the Director, OIEP.
Director means the Director of the Office of Indian Education
Programs of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Education Line Officer means the Bureau official in charge of
Bureau education programs and functions in an Agency who reports to the
Director.
� 39.403 What certification is
required?
top
(a) Each school must maintain an individual file on each student
receiving basic educational and supplemental services. The file must
contain written documentation of the following:
(1) Each student's eligibility and attendance records;
(2) A complete listing of all supplemental services provided, including
all necessary documentation required by statute and regulations ( e.g.
, a current and complete Individual Education Plan for each student
receiving supplemental services); and
(3) Documentation of expenditures and program delivery for student
transportation to and from school provided by commercial carriers.
(b) The School must maintain the following files in a central
location:
(1) The school's ADM and supplemental program counts and residential
count;
(2) Transportation related documentation, such as school bus mileage,
bus routes;
(3) A list of students transported to and from school;
(4) An electronic student count program or database;
(5) Class record books;
(6) Supplemental program class record books;
(7) For residential programs, residential student attendance
documentation;
(8) Evidence of teacher certification; and
(9) The school's accreditation certificate.
(c) The Director must maintain a record of required certifications for
ELOs, specialists, and school superintendents in a central location.
� 39.404 What is the certification and
verification process?
top
(a) Each school must:
(1) Certify that the files required by �39.403 are complete and
accurate; and
(2) Compile a student roster that includes a complete list of all
students by grade, days of attendance, and supplemental services.
(b) The chief school administrator and the president of the school
board are responsible for certifying the school's ADM and residential
count is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge or belief and is
supported by appropriate documentation.
(c) OIEP's education line officer (ELO) will annually review the
following to verify that the information is true and accurate and is
supported by program documentation:
(1) The eligibility of every student;
(2) The school's ADM and supplemental program counts and residential
count;
(3) Evidence of accreditation;
(4) Documentation for all provided basic and supplemental services,
including all necessary documentation required by statute and regulations
( e.g. , a current and complete Individual Education Plan for each
student receiving supplemental services); and
(5) Documentation required by subpart G of this part for student
transportation to and from school provided by commercial carriers.
� 39.405 How will verifications be
conducted?
top
The eligibility of every student shall be verified. The ELO will take a
random sampling of five days with a minimum of one day per grading period
to verify the information in �39.404(c). The ELO will verify the count for
the count period and verify residency during the remainder of the
year.
� 39.406 What documentation must the school
maintain for additional services it provides?
top
Every school must maintain a file on each student receiving additional
services. (Additional services include homebound services, institutional
services, distance courses, Internet courses or college services.) The
school must certify, and its records must show, that:
(a) Each homebound or institutionalized student is receiving 5 contact
hours each week by certified educational personnel;
(b) Each student taking college, distance or internet courses is in
physical attendance at the school for at least 3 certified contact hours
per day.
� 39.407 How long must a school maintain
records?
top
The responsible administrative official for each school must maintain
records relating to ISEP, supplemental services, and
transportation-related expenditures. The official must maintain these
records in appropriate retrievable storage for at least the four years
prior to the current school year, unless Federal records retention
schedules require a longer period.
� 39.408 What are the responsibilities of
administrative officials?
top
Administrative officials have the following responsibilities:
(a) Applying the appropriate standards in this part for classifying and
counting ISEP eligible Indian students at the school for formula funding
purposes;
(b) Accounting for and reporting student transportation
expenditures;
(c) Providing training and supervision to ensure that appropriate
standards are adhered to in counting students and accounting for student
transportation expenditures;
(d) Submitting all reports and data on a timely basis; and
(e) Taking appropriate disciplinary action for failure to comply with
requirements of this part.
� 39.409 How does the OIEP Director ensure
accountability?
top
(a) The Director of OIEP must ensure accountability in student counts
and student transportation by doing all of the following:
(1) Conducting annual independent and random field audits of the
processes and reports of at least one school per OIEP line office to
ascertain the accuracy of Bureau line officers' reviews;
(2) Hearing and making decisions on appeals from school officials;
(3) Reviewing reports to ensure that standards and policies are applied
consistently, education line officers treat schools fairly and equitably,
and the Bureau takes appropriate administrative action for failure to
follow this part; and
(4) Reporting the results of the findings and determinations under this
section to the appropriate tribal governing body.
(b) The purpose of the audit required by paragraph (a)(1) of this
section is to ensure that the procedures outlined in these regulations are
implemented. To conduct the audit required by paragraph (a)(1) of this
section, OIEP will select an independent audit firm that will:
(1) Select a statistically valid audit sample of recent student counts
and student transportation reports; and
(2) Analyze these reports to determine adherence to the requirements of
this part and accuracy in reporting.
� 39.410 What qualifications must an audit firm
meet to be considered for auditing ISEP administration?
top
To be considered for auditing ISEP administration under this subpart,
an independent audit firm must:
(a) Be a licensed Certified Public Accountant Firm that meets all
requirements for conducting audits under the Federal Single Audit Act;
(b) Not be under investigation or sanction for violation of
professional audit standards or ethics;
(c) Certify that it has conducted a conflict of interests check and
that no conflict exists; and
(d) Be selected through a competitive bidding process.
� 39.411 How will the auditor report its
findings?
top
(a) The auditor selected under �39.410 must:
(1) Provide an initial draft report of its findings to the governing
board or responsible Federal official for the school(s) involved; and
(2) Solicit, consider, and incorporate a response to the findings,
where submitted, in the final audit report.
(b) The auditor must submit a final report to the Assistant
Secretary�Indian Affairs and all tribes served by each school involved.
The report must include all documented exceptions to the requirements of
this part, including those exceptions that:
(1) The auditor regards as negligible;
(2) The auditor regards as significant, or as evidence of incompetence
on the part of responsible officials, and that must be resolved in a
manner similar to significant audit exceptions in a fiscal audit; or
(3) Involve fraud and abuse.
(c) The auditor must immediately report exceptions involving fraud and
abuse directly to the Department of the Interior Inspector General's
office.
� 39.412 What sanctions apply for failure to
comply with this subpart?
top
(a) The employer of a responsible administrative official must take
appropriate personnel action if the official:
(1) Submits false or fraudulent ISEP-related counts;
(2) Submits willfully inaccurate counts of student participation in
weighted program areas; or
(3) Certifies or verifies submissions described in paragraphs (a)(1) or
(a)(2) of this section.
(b) Unless prohibited by law, the employer must report:
(1) Notice of final Federal personnel action to the tribal governing
body and tribal school board; and
(2) Notice of final tribal or school board personnel action to the
Director of OIEP.
� 39.413 Can a school appeal the verification of
the count?
top
Yes, a school may appeal to the Director any administrative action
disallowing any academic, transportation, supplemental program or
residential count. In this appeal, the school may provide evidence to
indicate the student's eligibility, membership or residency or adequacy of
a program for all or a portion of school year. The school must follow the
applicable appeals process in 25 CFR part 2 or 25 CFR part 900, subpart
L.
Subpart E�Contingency Fund
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.500 What emergency and contingency funds
are available?
top
The Secretary:
(a) Must reserve 1 percent of funds from the allotment formula to meet
emergencies and unforeseen contingencies affecting educational
programs;
(b) Can carry over to the next fiscal year a maximum of 1 percent the
current year funds; and
(c) May distribute all funds in excess of 1 percent equally to all
schools or distribute excess as a part of ISEP.
� 39.501 What is an emergency or unforeseen
contingency?
top
An emergency or unforeseen contingency is an event that meets all of
the following criteria:
(a) It could not be planned for;
(b) It is not the result of mismanagement, malfeasance, or willful
neglect;
(c) It is not covered by an insurance policy in force at the time of
the event;
(d) The Assistant Secretary determines that Bureau cannot reimburse the
emergency from the facilities emergency repair fund; and
(e) It could not have been prevented by prudent action by officials
responsible for the educational program.
� 39.502 How does a school apply for contingency
funds?
top
To apply for contingency funds, a school must send a request to the
ELO. The ELO must send the request to the Director for consideration
within 48 hours of receipt. The Director will consider the severity of the
event and will attempt to respond to the request as soon as possible, but
in any event within 30 days.
� 39.503 How can a school use contingency
funds?
top
Contingency funds can be used only for education services and programs,
including repair of educational facilities.
� 39.504 May schools carry over contingency
funds to a subsequent fiscal year?
top
Bureau-operated schools may carry over funds to the next fiscal
year.
� 39.505 What are the reporting requirements for
the use of the contingency fund?
top
(a) At the end of each fiscal year, Bureau/OIEP shall send an annual
report to Congress detailing how the Contingency Funds were used during
the previous fiscal year.
(b) By October 1 of each year, the Bureau must send a letter to each
school and each tribe operating a school listing the allotments from the
Contingency Fund.
Subpart F�School Board Training Expenses
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.600 Are Bureau-operated school board
expenses funded by ISEP limited?
top
Yes. Bureau-operated schools are limited to $8,000 or one percent (1%)
of ISEP allotted funds (not to exceed $15,000).
� 39.601 Is school board training for
Bureau-operated schools considered a school board expense subject to the
limitation?
top
No, school board training for Bureau-operated schools is not considered
a school board expense subject to the limitation in �39.600.
� 39.603 Is school board training required for
all Bureau-funded schools?
top
Yes. Any new member of a local school board or an agency school board
must complete 40 hours of training within one year of appointment,
provided that such training is recommended, but is not required, for a
tribal governing body that serves in the capacity of a school board.
� 39.604 Is there a separate weight for school
board training at Bureau-operated schools?
top
Yes. There is an ISEP weight not to exceed 1.2 WSUs to cover school
board training and expenses at Bureau-operated schools.
Subpart G�Student Transportation
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.700 What is the purpose of this
subpart?
top
(a) This subpart covers how transportation mileage and funds for
schools are calculated under the ISEP transportation program. The program
funds transportation of students from home to school and return.
(b) To use this part effectively, a school should:
(1) Determine its eligibility for funds using the provisions of
��39.702 through 39.708;
(2) Calculate its transportation miles using the provisions of ��39.710
and 39.711; and
(3) Submit the required reports as required by ��39.721 and
39.722.
� 39.701 What definitions apply to terms used in
this subpart?
top
ISEP means the Indian School Equalization Program.
Transportation mileage count week means the last full week in
September.
Unimproved roads means unengineered earth roads that do not have
adequate gravel or other aggregate surface materials applied and do not
have drainage ditches or shoulders.
Eligibility for Funds
top
� 39.702 Can a school receive funds to transport
residential students using commercial transportation?
top
A school transporting students by commercial bus, train, airplane, or
other commercial modes of transportation will be funded at the cost of the
commercial ticket for:
(a) The trip from home to school in the Fall;
(b) The round-trip return home at Christmas; and
(c) The return trip home at the end of the school year.
� 39.703 What ground transportation costs are
covered for students traveling by commercial transportation?
top
This section applies only if a school transports residential students
by commercial bus, train or airplane from home to school. The school may
receive funds for the ground miles that the school has to drive to deliver
the students or their luggage from the bus, train, or plane terminal to
the school.
� 39.704 Are schools eligible to receive
chaperone expenses to transport residential students?
top
Yes. Schools may receive funds for actual chaperone expenses, excluding
salaries, during the transportation of students to and from home at the
beginning and end of the school year and at Christmas.
� 39.705 Are schools eligible for transportation
funds to transport special education students?
top
Yes. A school that transports a special education student from home to
a treatment center and back to home on a daily basis as required by the
student's Individual Education Plan may count those miles for day student
funding.
� 39.706 Are peripheral dormitories eligible for
day transportation funds?
top
Yes. If the peripheral dormitory is required to transport dormitory
students to the public school, the dormitory may count those miles driven
transporting students to the public school for day transportation
funding.
� 39.707 Which student transportation expenses
are currently not eligible for Student Transportation Funding?
top
(a) The following transportation expenses are currently not eligible
for transportation funding, however the data will be collected under the
provisions in this subpart:
(1) Fuel and maintenance runs;
(2) Transportation home for medical or other emergencies;
(3) Transportation from school to treatment or special services
programs;
(4) Transportation to after-school programs; and
(5) Transportation for day and boarding school students to attend
instructional programs less than full-time at locations other than the
school reporting the mileage.
(b) Examples of after-school programs covered by paragraph (a)(4) of
this section include:
(1) Athletics;
(2) Band;
(3) Detention;
(4) Tutoring, study hall and special classes; and
(5) Extra-curricular activities such as arts and crafts.
� 39.708 Are miles generated by non-ISEP
eligible students eligible for transportation funding?
top
No. Only miles generated by ISEP-eligible students enrolled in and
attending a school are eligible for student transportation funding.
Calculating Transportation Miles
top
� 39.710 How does a school calculate annual bus
transportation miles for day students?
top
To calculate the total annual bus transportation miles for day
students, a school must use the appropriate formula from this section. In
the formulas, Tu = Miles driven on Tuesday of the transportation mileage
count week, W = Miles driven on Wednesday of the transportation mileage
count week, and Th = Miles driven on Thursday of the transportation
mileage count week.
(a) For ISEP-eligible day students whose route is entirely over
improved roads, calculate miles using the following formula:
(b) For ISEP-eligible day students whose route is partly over
unimproved roads, calculate miles using the following three steps.
(1) Step 1. Apply the following formula to miles driven over
improved roads only:
(2) Step 2. Apply the following formula to miles driven over
unimproved roads only:
(3) Step 3. Add together the sums from steps 1 and 2 to obtain
the total annual transportation miles.
� 39.711 How does a school calculate annual bus
transportation miles for residential students?
top
To calculate the total annual transportation miles for residential
students, a school must use the procedures in paragraph (b) of this
section.
(a) The school can receive funds for the following trips:
(1) Transportation to the school at the start of the school year;
(2) Round trip home at Christmas; and
(3) Return trip to home at the end of the school year.
(b) To calculate the actual miles driven to transport students from
home to school at the start of the school year, add together the miles
driven for all buses used to transport students from their homes to the
school. If a school transports students over unimproved roads, the school
must separate the number of miles driven for each bus into improved miles
and unimproved miles. The number of miles driven is the sum of:
(1) The number of miles driven on improved roads; and
(2) The number of miles driven on unimproved roads multiplied by
1.2.
(c) The annual miles driven for each school is the sum of the mileage
from paragraphs (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section multiplied by 4.
Reporting Requirements
top
� 39.720 Why are there different reporting
requirements for transportation data?
top
In order to construct an actual cost data base, residential and day
schools must report data required by ��39.721 and 39.722.
� 39.721 What transportation information must
off-reservation boarding schools report?
top
(a) Each off-reservation boarding school that provides transportation
must report annually the information required by this section. The report
must:
(1) Be submitted to OIEP by August 1 and cover the preceding school
year;
(2) Include a Charter/Commercial and Air Transportation Form signed and
certified as complete and accurate by the School Principal and the
appropriate ELO; and
(3) Include the information required by paragraph (b) of this
section.
(b) Each annual transportation report must include the following
information:
(1) Fixed vehicle costs, including: the number and type of buses,
passenger size, and local GSA rental rate and duration of GSA
contract;
(2) Variable vehicle costs;
(3) Mileage traveled to transport students to and from school on school
days, to sites of special services, and to extra-curricular
activities;
(4) Medical trips;
(5) Maintenance and Service costs; and
(6) Driver costs;
(7) All expenses referred to in �39.707.
� 39.722 What transportation information must
day schools, on-reservation boarding schools and peripheral dormitory
schools report?
top
(a) By August 1 of each year, all schools and peripheral dorms that
provide transportation must submit a report that covers the preceding
year. This report must include:
(1) Fixed vehicle costs and other costs, including: the number and type
of buses, passenger size, and local GSA rental rate and duration of GSA
contract;
(2) Variable vehicle costs;
(3) Mileage traveled to transport students to and from school on school
days, to sites of special services, and to extra-curricular
activities;
(4) Mileage driven for student medical trips;
(5) Costs of vehicle maintenance and service cost, including cost of
miles driven to obtain maintenance and service;
(6) Driver costs; and
(7) All expenses referred to in �39.707.
(b) In addition, all day schools and on-reservation boarding schools
must include in their report a Day Student Transportation Form signed and
certified as complete and accurate by the School Principal and the
appropriate ELO.
Miscellaneous Provisions
top
� 39.730 Which standards must student
transportation vehicles meet?
top
All vehicles used by schools to transport students must meet or exceed
all appropriate Federal motor vehicle safety standards and State or Tribal
motor vehicle safety standards. The Bureau will not fund transportation
mileage and costs incurred transporting students in vehicles that do not
meet these standards.
� 39.731 Can transportation time be used as
instruction time for day school students?
top
No. Transportation time cannot be used as instruction time for day
school students in meeting the minimum required hours for academic
funding.
� 39.732 How does OIEP allocate transportation
funds to schools?
top
OIEP allocates transportation funds based on the types of
transportation programs that the school provides. To allocate
transportation funds OIEP:
(a) Multiplies the one-way commercial costs for all schools by four to
identify the total commercial costs for all schools;
(b) Subtracts the commercial cost total from the appropriated
transportation funds and allocates the balance of the transportation funds
to each school with a per-mile rate;
(c) Divides the balance of funds by the sum of the annual day miles and
the annual residential miles to identify a per-mile rate;
(d) For day transportation, multiplies the per-mile rate times the
annual day miles for each school; and
(e) For residential transportation, multiplies the per mile rate times
the annual transportation miles for each school.
Subpart H�Determining the Amount Necessary To Sustain an Academic or
Residential Program
top
Source: 70 FR 22205, Apr. 28, 2005,
unless otherwise noted.
� 39.801 What is the formula to determine the
amount necessary to sustain a school's academic or residential
program?
top
(a) The Secretary's formula to determine the minimum annual amount
necessary to sustain a Bureau-funded school's academic or residential
program is as follows:
Student Unit Value � Weighted Student Unit = Annual Minimum Amount per
student.
(b) Sections 39.802 through 39.807 explain the derivation of the
formula in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) If the annual minimum amount calculated under this section and
��39.802 through 39.807 is not fully funded, OIEP will pro rate funds
distributed to schools using the Indian School Equalization Formula.
� 39.802 What is the student unit value in the
formula?
top
The student unit value is the dollar value applied to each student in
an academic or residential program. There are two types of student unit
values: the student unit instructional value (SUIV) and the student unit
residential value (SURV).
(a) The student unit instructional value (SUIV) applies to a student
enrolled in an instructional program. It is an annually established ratio
of 1.0 that represents a student in grades 4 through 6 of a typical
non-residential program.
(b) The student unit residential value (SURV) applies to a residential
student. It is an annually established ratio of 1.0 that represents a
student in grades 4 through 6 of a typical residential program.
� 39.803 What is a weighted student unit in the
formula?
top
A weighted student unit is an adjusted ratio using factors in the
Indian School Equalization Formula to establish educational priorities and
to provide for the unique needs of specific students, such as:
(a) Students in grades kindergarten through 3 or grades 7 through
12;
(b) Special education students;
(c) Gifted and talented students;
(d) Distance education students;
(e) Vocational and industrial education students;
(f) Native Language Instruction students;
(g) Small schools;
(h) Personnel costs;
(i) Alternative schooling; and
(j) Early Childhood Education programs.
� 39.804 How is the SUIV calculated?
top
The SUIV is calculated by the following 5-step process:
(a) Step 1. Use the adjusted national average current
expenditures (ANACE) of public and private schools determined by data from
the U.S. Department of Education-National Center of Education Statistics
(NCES) for the last school year for which data is available.
(b) Step 2. Subtract the average specific Federal share per
student (title I part A and IDEA part B) of the total revenue for
Bureau-funded elementary and secondary schools for the last school year
for which data is available as reported by NCES (15%).
(c) Step 3. Subtract the administrative cost grant/agency area
technical services revenue per student as a percentage of the total
revenue (current expenditures) of Bureau-funded schools from the last year
data is available.
(d) Step 4. Subtract the day transportation revenue per student
as a percentage of the total revenue (current revenue) Bureau-funded
schools for the last school year for which data is available.
(e) Step 5. Add Johnson O'Malley funding. (See the table, in
�39.805)
� 39.805 What was the student unit for
instruction value (SUIV) for the school year 1999�2000?
top
The process described in �39.804 is illustrated in the table below,
using figures for the 1999�2000 school year:
Step 1 |
$8,030 |
ANACE. |
Step 2 |
−1205 |
Average specific Federal share of
total revenue for Bureau-funded schools. |
Step 3 |
−993 |
Cost grant/technical services
revenue as a percentage total revenue. |
Step 4 |
−658 |
Transportation revenue as a
percentage of the total revenue. |
Step 5 |
85 |
Johnson O'Malley funding. |
Total |
$5,259 |
SUIV. |
� 39.806 How is the SURV calculated?
top
(a) The SURV is the adjusted national average current expenditures for
residential schools (ANACER) of public and private residential schools.
This average is determined using data from the Association of Boarding
Schools.
(b) Applying the procedure in paragraph (a) of this section, the SURV
for school year 1999�2000 was $11,000.
� 39.807 How will the Student Unit Value be
adjusted annually?
top
(a) The student unit instructional value (SUIV) and the student unit
residential value (SURV) will be adjusted annually to derive the current
year Student Unit Value (SUV) by dividing the calculated SUIV and the SURV
into two parts and adjusting each one as shown in this section.
(1) The first part consists of 85 percent of the calculated SUIV and
the SURV. OIEP will adjust this portion using the personnel cost of living
increase of the Department of Defense schools for each year.
(2) The second part consists of 15 percent the calculated SUIV and the
SURV. OIEP will adjust this portion using the Consumer Price Index-Urban
of the Department of Labor.
(b) If the student unit value amount is not fully funded, the schools
will receive their pro rata share using the Indian School Equalization
Formula.
� 39.808 What definitions apply to this
subpart?
top
Adjusted National Average Current Expenditure [ANACE] means the
actual current expenditures for pupils in fall enrollment in public
elementary and secondary schools for the last school year for which data
is available. These expenditures are adjusted annually to reflect current
year expenditures of federally financed schools' cost of day and
residential programs.
Current expenditures means expenses related to classroom
instruction, classroom supplies, administration, support services-students
and other support services and operations. Current expenditures do not
include facility operations and maintenance, buildings and improvements,
furniture, equipment, vehicles, student activities and debt
retirement.
� 39.809 Information collection.
top
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to
comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. )
(PRA), unless that collection of information displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. This part involves
collections of information subject to the PRA in ��39.410 and 39.502.
These collections have been approved by OMB under control numbers
1076�0122, 1076�0134, and 1076�0163.
Subpart I�Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair Fund
top
Source: 44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979,
unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982.
Redesignated at 70 FR 33702, June 9, 2005.
� 39.900 Establishment and funding of an Interim
Maintenance and Minor Repair Fund.
top
There is established in the Division of Facilities Management a
separate temporary fund entitled the Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair
Fund. The Assistant Secretary shall cause the distribution of an amount of
$1 million, under the FY 1980 Appropriation for the Bureau, from budget
activity 3500, �General Management and Facilities Operation�, to the
direct use of schools, and shall create an appropriate account or
subaccount for the Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair Fund and credit
these funds thereto.
� 39.901 Conditions for distribution.
top
Funds from the Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair Fund shall be
distributed to Bureau operated and funded schools and shall be separately
earmarked in local school financial plans solely for expenditure at the
discretion of the school supervisor for cost of school facility
maintenance and minor repair. These funds shall be used to meet immediate
minor repair and maintenance needs.
� 39.902 Allocation.
top
(a) Interim Maintenance and Minor Repair funds shall be allocated to
all Bureau operated and contract schools based on the number of square
feet of floor space used for that school's educational program, for
student residence and for support facilities. Staff quarters shall be
specifically excluded from the computation.
(b) Square footage figures used in determining school allocations shall
be taken from the facilities inventory maintained by the Division of
Facilities Engineering.
(c) In those cases, such as contract schools, where square footage
figures are not now available, it shall be the responsibility of the
Bureau's Division of Facilities Engineering to correct the
information.
(d) Schools in Alaska shall receive a 25% cost adjustment increase in
the computation of their allocation.
� 39.903 Use of funds.
top
Funds allocated under this provision for maintenance and minor repair
shall be used for no other purpose.
� 39.904 Limitations.
top
Nothing in this provision shall be interpreted as relieving the Bureau
branch of Facilities Management or its field offices of any responsibility
for continuing to provide maintenance and repair service to schools
through existing procedures.
Subpart J�Administrative Cost Formula
top
Source: 56 FR 35795, July 26, 1991,
unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 70 FR 33702, June 9,
2005.
� 39.1000 Purpose and scope.
top
The purpose of this subpart is to provide funds at the agency and area
education offices for FY 1991 and future years for administration of all
Bureau of Indian Affairs education functions, including but not limited to
school operations, continuing education, early childhood education,
post-secondary education and Johnson-O'Malley Programs.
� 39.1001 Definitions.
top
(a) Agency Education Office means a field office of the Office
of Indian Education Programs providing administrative direction and
supervision to one or more Bureau-operated schools as well as being
responsible for all other education functions serving tribes within that
agency's jurisdiction.
(b) Area Education Office means a field office of the Office of
Indian Education Programs responsible for all education functions serving
tribes not serviced by an agency education office an in some cases
providing administrative direction to one or more off-reservation boarding
schools not under an agency education office.
� 39.1002 Allotment of education administrative
funds.
top
The total annual budget for agencies/areas shall be allotted to the
Director and through him/her to agency and area education offices. This
total budget shall be distributed to the various agency and area education
offices as follows:
(a) Each agency or area education office as defined above shall receive
a base amount of $50,000 for basic administrative costs; and
(b) Each agency or area education office as defined above shall receive
an amount under these funds equal to two percent of the total higher
education, Johnson-O'Malley and adult education funds administered by each
office, except that the Navajo Agencies are restricted to a maximum of
$50,000 for administering the Johnson-O'Malley and higher education
programs; and
(c) Eighty percent of the remaining funds shall be distributed
proportionately based on the number of schools operated under the
jurisdiction of each agency or area education office, with Bureau-operated
schools counting as 1 and contract/grant schools counting as 0.6; and
(d) The remaining twenty percent shall be distributed proportionately
based on the total weighted student units generated by all schools under
the jurisdiction of each agency or area education office.
� 39.1003 Allotment exception for FY
1991.
top
For FY 1991 only, the Director may reserve an amount equal to no more
than one half of the funds received in FY 1990 by those offices to be
closed in FY 1991 to cover severance pay costs, lump sum leave payments
and relocation costs for those individuals affected by the closures. Any
balance uncommitted by March 31, 1991, shall be distributed in accordance
with the formula in �39.122.
Subpart K�Pre-kindergarten Programs
top
Source: 44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979,
unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982.
Redesignated at 70 FR 33702, June 9, 2005.
� 39.1100 Interim fiscal year 1980 and fiscal
year 1981 funding for pre-kindergarten programs previously funded by the
Bureau.
top
Those schools having pre-kindergarten programs funded fully or in part
from Bureau education funds in fiscal year 1979 shall be funded from
Bureau education funds by the Director in fiscal year 1980 and fiscal year
1981 at their fiscal year 1979 Bureau education funding levels. The fiscal
year 1979 pre-kindergarten Bureau funding amount for each Bureau funded
school shall be deducted from the school's fiscal year 1979 Bureau
Education Budget amount prior to application of the phase-in
provision.
[44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979. Redesignated at 47 FR 13327, Mar. 30,
1982. Redesignated and amended at 70 FR 33702, June 9, 2005]
� 39.1101 Addition of pre-kindergarten as a
weight factor to the Indian School Equalization Formula in fiscal year
1982.
top
The Director, in consultation with the tribes and school boards, shall
determine appropriate weight factors needed to include pre-kindergarten
programs in the Indian School Equalization Formula in fiscal year 1982.
Based on a needs assessment, to be completed by January 1, 1980,
pre-kindergarten programs shall be included in the Bureau's education
request for fiscal year 1982.
Subpart L�Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund
top
Source: 44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979,
unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 70 FR 33702, June 9,
2005.
� 39.1200 Definitions.
top
Contract school operation and maintenance costs for fiscal year 1979
means the sum of costs for custodial salaries and fringe benefits, related
supplies and equipment and equipment repair, insurance, and school
operation utilities costs, where such costs are not paid by the Division
of Facilities Management or other noneducation Bureau sources.
� 39.1201 Establishment of an interim fiscal
year 1980 operation and maintenance fund for contract schools.
top
There is established in the Division of Facilities Management a
separate fund entitled the Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund.
The Secretary shall cause the distribution of an amount of $2.5 million,
under the fiscal year 1980 appropriation for the Bureau, from budget
activity 3500. �General Management and Facilities Operations�, to the
schools through this fund and shall create an appropriate account or
subaccount for the Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund.
� 39.1202 Distribution of funds.
top
(a) Each contract school shall receive in fiscal year 1980 a portion of
the Contract School Operation and Maintenance Fund determined by the
percentage share which that school's fiscal year 1979 operation and
maintenance cost represents in the total fiscal year 1979 operation and
maintenance cost for all such schools.
(b) To be eligible for these funds, a contract school shall submit a
detailed report of actual operation and maintenance costs for fiscal year
1979 to the Director by November 23, 1979. These cost figures will be
subject to verification by the Director to assure their accuracy prior to
the allotment of any funds under this subpart.
(c) Any funds generated under this subpart shall be included in the
computation of the phase-in amount if supplemental operation and
maintenance funds were included in a school's fiscal year 1979 3100
contract funds.
[44 FR 61864, Oct. 26, 1979, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 47
FR 13327, Mar. 30, 1982. Redesignated and amended at 70 FR 33702, June 9,
2005]
� 39.1203 Future consideration of contract
school operation and maintenance funding.
top
The Assistant Secretary shall arrange for full funding for operation
and maintenance of contract schools by fiscal year 1981.
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