Improving Systems, Practices and Outcomes

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Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

Topic editors: Debbie Cate and Anne Lucas

Most recent additions to this page:

Early Intervention and Preschool Education Services for Children who live on Reservations with BIE Funded Programs (April 2013) - This Q&A Guidance Document includes a sample Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Agreement and is the result of a combined effort of the Regional Resource Center Program (RRCP), the Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center (ECTA), and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE). It is intended to serve as a resource that provides states, TA providers, parents, etc. with a common language of terms and definitions used in the SPP/APR development process.

IDEA Part C and Part B - Section 619 Funds Administered by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE)

Native American children, living on tribal lands, are afforded the same services through public school preschool special education programs (SEAs and LEAs) and early intervention programs (through each state's lead agency for Part C and Part B [ages 3 through 5]) as all other children residing in that state.

With respect to the unique status of tribal lands and Native American children on those lands, the US Department of Education provides funds to the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) to be distributed to eligible tribes to assist states in serving young children with disabilities (Birth through 5): Part C [ WWW: Payments to Indians (Use of funds) 303.731(b)] and Part B [ WWW: Payment for Education and Services (for Indian Children with Disabilities Aged 3-5); PL108-46 Section 611 (2)(h)(4)]. These funds have been used for tribal early intervention supports and have facilitated many state and local collaborations.

PDF: BIE brochure on Infant, Toddler and Preschool services (March 2011) - describes the use of funds that are distributed from the Office of Special Education Programs to tribes, tribal organizations, or consortia.

The ECTA Center, in collaboration with the BIE and the Regional Resource Center Program (RRCP), provides these resources to those serving young Native American children with disabilities (birth through age 5) and their families. On this site we feature models of collaboration among state, local and tribal entities and resources to support future collaborations.

Some examples of State and Local (Tribal) Collaborations and use of BIE funds

The ECTA Center is a program of the FPG Child Development Institute of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, funded through cooperative agreement number H326P170001 from the Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. Opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the Department of Education's position or policy.