Title: NEST Act
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
Native Educator Support and Training Act or the NEST Act
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish scholarships, loan forgiveness plans, and training programs for educators who commit to teaching in Native American or Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
This bill establishes three scholarship programs for students who are seeking degrees in education or school administration at institutions of higher education and commit to teaching in Native American or BIE schools:
Recipients of the scholarships must commit to working for a BIE school, a school serving Native Americans, a tribal early childhood education program, or other specified schools and agencies for the greater of three years or the number of school years that the scholarship funded.
The bill establishes loan forgiveness programs for educators and Native Americans who have taught for at least five consecutive years at BIE schools or local educational agencies with high percentages of Native American students.
The bill extends the federal Perkins Loan Cancellation Program to educators teaching in BIE schools or in Native American language immersion programs.
The bill authorizes professional development grants for native-serving elementary and secondary schools. It also establishes the Native American Language Teacher Training Program to provide grants for institutions of higher education to develop training programs for Native American immersion and language teachers.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2727 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2727

              To support the education of Indian children.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 25, 2017

   Mr. Ruiz introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
                Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
              To support the education of Indian children.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Native Educator Support and Training 
Act'' or the ``NEST Act''.

                      TITLE I--STUDENT ASSISTANCE

      PART A--SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE STUDY OF EDUCATION AND SCHOOL 
                             ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 101. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS FOR EDUCATORS OF INDIAN STUDENTS AND 
              INDIAN EDUCATORS.

    Part B of title II of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1031 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

            ``Subpart 6--Indian Educator Scholarship Program

``SEC. 259A. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purposes of this subpart are--
            ``(1) to carry out the United States trust responsibility 
        for the education of Indian children; and
            ``(2) to provide a more stable base of education 
        professionals with an understanding of the needs of Indian 
        students to serve in early childhood education programs, public 
        elementary schools and secondary schools, schools funded by the 
        Bureau of Indian Education, the Department of Education, State 
        educational agencies, tribal education agencies, and local 
        educational agencies.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this subpart:
            ``(1) The term `Indian' shall have the meaning given that 
        term in section 316.
            ``(2) The term `Bureau-funded school' shall have the 
        meaning given that term in section 1141 of the Education 
        Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021).
            ``(3) The term `Native-serving institution of higher 
        education' shall mean any institution of higher education 
        eligible under section 316, 317, or 319.
            ``(4) The term `tribal educational agency' shall have the 
        meaning given the term in section 6132 of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7452).
            ``(5) The term `Bureau of Indian Education early childhood 
        development program' means a program operating under a grant 
        authorized by section 1139 of the Education Amendments of 1978 
        (25 U.S.C. 2019).
            ``(6) The term `tribal early childhood education program' 
        shall mean any of the following programs:
                    ``(A) An American Indian or Alaska Native Head 
                Start or Early Head Start program carried out under the 
                Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).
                    ``(B) A tribal child care and development program 
                carried out under the Child Care and Development Block 
                Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.).
                    ``(C) A program serving children from birth through 
                age 6 that--
                            ``(i) receives funding support from the 
                        Native American language preservation and 
                        maintenance program carried out under section 
                        803C of the Native American Programs Act of 
                        1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b-3);
                            ``(ii) is a tribal prekindergarten program;
                            ``(iii) is a program authorized under 
                        section 619 or part C of the Individuals with 
                        Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419; 20 
                        U.S.C. 1431 et seq.); or
                            ``(iv) is a center-based or group-based 
                        early childhood learning or development program 
                        that the Secretary determines shall be included 
                        under this definition, after receiving a 
                        request from an Indian tribe.

``SEC. 259B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SCHOLARSHIP CONTRACTS.

    ``(a) In General.--Unless otherwise specified, a scholarship grant 
under this subpart shall have the terms and conditions described in 
this section.
    ``(b) Contents of Contract.--
            ``(1) In general.--The written contract between the 
        Secretary and the individual receiving a scholarship grant 
        under this subpart shall contain the following:
                    ``(A) A statement that the Secretary agrees to 
                provide the individual with a scholarship in accordance 
                with section 259C, 259D, or 259E, as the case may be.
                    ``(B) A statement that the individual agrees--
                            ``(i) to accept the relevant scholarship 
                        under this subpart;
                            ``(ii) to maintain enrollment in the course 
                        of study for which the scholarship was awarded 
                        until the individual completes the course of 
                        study;
                            ``(iii) while enrolled in such course of 
                        study, to maintain an acceptable level of 
                        academic standing (as determined by the 
                        Secretary, taking into account the requirements 
                        of the institution of higher education offering 
                        such course of study); and
                            ``(iv) to serve, through full-time 
                        employment at an eligible school or eligible 
                        service employer (as described under section 
                        259C, 259D, or 259E, as the case may be), for a 
                        time period (referred to in this section as the 
                        `period of obligated service') equal to the 
                        greater of--
                                    ``(I) 1 year for the equivalent of 
                                each school year for which the 
                                individual was provided a scholarship 
                                under this subpart; or
                                    ``(II) 3 years.
                    ``(C) A statement of the damages to which the 
                United States is entitled, under subsection (d), for 
                the individual's breach of the contract.
                    ``(D) Any other relevant statements of the rights 
                and liabilities of the Secretary and of the individual, 
                in accordance with the provisions of this subpart.
            ``(2) Period of obligated service.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The recipient of a scholarship 
                grant under this subpart shall be required to carry out 
                a period of obligated service, as described in 
                paragraph (1)(B)(iv).
                    ``(B) Deferment.--
                            ``(i) In general.--At the request of an 
                        individual who has entered into a contract 
                        described in this subsection, the Secretary 
                        shall grant a deferment for the period of 
                        obligated service of such individual under such 
                        contract for any of the following reasons:
                                    ``(I) Advanced study.--For advanced 
                                study to enable such individual to 
                                complete a course of study--
                                            ``(aa) leading to an 
                                        advanced degree in early 
                                        childhood education, elementary 
                                        or secondary education or 
                                        school administration; or
                                            ``(bb) needed to become 
                                        certified by a State or Indian 
                                        tribe to teach, for an 
                                        appropriate period (in years, 
                                        as determined by the 
                                        Secretary).
                                    ``(II) Family and medical leave.--
                                For family or medical leave for a 
                                period in alignment with section 102 of 
                                the Family and Medical Leave Act of 
                                1993 (29 U.S.C. 2612) and as approved 
                                by the Secretary.
                                    ``(III) Military service.--If the 
                                individual is a member of the National 
                                Guard or other reserve component of the 
                                Armed Forces of the United States, or a 
                                member of such Armed Forces in a 
                                retired status, and such individual is 
                                called or ordered to active duty (as 
                                defined in section 101(d)(1) of title 
                                10, United States Code), such 
                                individual shall be eligible for a 
                                deferment during the period of active 
                                duty and for an appropriate period (as 
                                determined by the Secretary) after 
                                returning from active duty.
                            ``(ii) Conditions of deferment.--A 
                        deferment granted under this subparagraph shall 
                        be subject to the following conditions:
                                    ``(I) The deferment period shall 
                                not be counted as satisfying any period 
                                of obligated service that is required 
                                under this section.
                                    ``(II) The period of obligated 
                                service of the individual shall 
                                commence at the later of--
                                            ``(aa) 90 days after the 
                                        completion of the deferment 
                                        period;
                                            ``(bb) the commencement of 
                                        the first school year at the 
                                        school where the individual has 
                                        been hired that begins after 
                                        the completion of the 
                                        deferment; or
                                            ``(cc) a date specified by 
                                        the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Part-time study.--In the case of an 
                individual receiving a scholarship under this subpart 
                who is enrolled part-time in an approved course of 
                study--
                            ``(i) a scholarship under this subpart 
                        shall be for a period of years not to exceed 
                        the part-time equivalent of 4 years, as 
                        determined by the Secretary;
                            ``(ii) the period of obligated service 
                        shall be equal to the greater of--
                                    ``(I) 1 year for the equivalent of 
                                each full-time academic year for which 
                                the individual was provided a 
                                scholarship (as determined by the 
                                Secretary by adding the fractions of a 
                                full-time academic year that each 
                                period of part-time attendance 
                                comprises); or
                                    ``(II) 2 years; and
                            ``(iii) the amount of the monthly stipend 
                        specified in subsection (c) shall be reduced 
                        pro rata, as determined by the Secretary, based 
                        on the number of hours of study in which such 
                        individual is enrolled.
    ``(c) Scholarship.--
            ``(1) In general.--A scholarship provided to a student 
        under this subpart for a school year shall equal the amount 
        of--
                    ``(A) the tuition of the student;
                    ``(B) all other reasonable educational expenses 
                incurred by the student in such school year, including 
                fees, books, laboratory expenses, and other expenses as 
                determined by the Secretary; and
                    ``(C) a stipend of $800 per month (adjusted in 
                accordance with paragraph (3)) for each of the 12 
                consecutive months beginning with the first month of 
                such school year.
            ``(2) Payment to an institution of higher education.--The 
        Secretary may contract with an institution of higher education 
        in which a participant in the scholarship program under this 
        subpart is enrolled for the payment to such institution on 
        behalf of the student of the amounts of tuition and other 
        reasonable educational expenses described in subparagraphs (A) 
        and (B) of paragraph (1). Payment to such institution may be 
        made without regard to subsections (a) and (b) of section 3324 
        of title 31, United States Code.
            ``(3) Stipend.--The amount of the monthly stipend described 
        in paragraph (1)(C) shall be increased by the Secretary for 
        each school year ending in a fiscal year beginning after 
        September 30, 2018, by the amount (rounded to the next highest 
        multiple of $1) equal to the amount of such stipend multiplied 
        by the percentage adjustment in the rates of pay under the 
        General Schedule taking effect under section 5303 of title 5, 
        United States Code, during the fiscal year in which such school 
        year ends (if such adjustment is an increase).
    ``(d) Liability; Failure To Complete the Period of Obligated 
Service; Repayment.--
            ``(1) Liability.--An individual who has entered into a 
        written contract with the Secretary under this section shall be 
        liable to the United States for the amount which has been paid 
        to, or on behalf of, such individual under the contract, if 
        such individual--
                    ``(A) fails to maintain an acceptable level of 
                academic standing in the institution of higher 
                education in which the individual is enrolled (as 
                determined by the Secretary taking into account the 
                requirements of the institution of higher education 
                offering such course of study);
                    ``(B) is dismissed from such institution of higher 
                education for disciplinary reasons;
                    ``(C) voluntarily terminates the training in such 
                institution of higher education for which such 
                individual is provided a scholarship under such 
                contract before the completion of such training; or
                    ``(D) fails to accept payment, or instructs the 
                institution of higher education in which such 
                individual is enrolled not to accept payment, under 
                this section.
            ``(2) Failure to complete the period of obligated 
        service.--An individual who has entered into a written contract 
        with the Secretary under this section may petition the 
        Secretary to delay the date on which the individual would 
        otherwise be required to begin the period of obligated service 
        if such individual has not succeeded in obtaining employment 
        required by this section. In support of such petition, the 
        individual shall supply such reasonable information as the 
        Secretary may require. The Secretary shall retain full 
        discretion regarding the decision about whether to grant or 
        decline such a delay and to determine the duration of any delay 
        that is granted.
            ``(3) Repayment.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An individual who has entered 
                into a written contract with the Secretary under this 
                section and who is liable for any amount of damages 
                which the United States is entitled to recover under 
                this subsection shall--
                            ``(i) begin payment of such damages to the 
                        United States within 1 year of the date of the 
                        breach or on such later date as specified by 
                        the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) repay the amount of such damages in 
                        full following a schedule and by a deadline 
                        determined by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Recovery of damages.--If damages described in 
                subparagraph (A) are delinquent for 3 months, the 
                Secretary shall, for the purpose of recovering such 
                damages--
                            ``(i) utilize collection agencies 
                        contracted with by the Administrator of the 
                        General Services Administration; or
                            ``(ii) enter into contracts for the 
                        recovery of such damages with collection 
                        agencies selected by the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Contracts for recovery of damages.--Each 
                contract for recovering damages pursuant to this 
                paragraph shall provide that the contractor will, not 
                less than once every 6 months, submit to the Secretary 
                a status report on the success of the contractor in 
                collecting such damages. Section 3718 of title 31, 
                United States Code, shall apply to any such contract to 
                the extent not inconsistent with this subsection.
            ``(4) Death.--Upon the death of an individual who receives, 
        or has received, a scholarship under this subpart, any 
        obligation of such individual for service or payment that 
        relates to such scholarship shall be canceled.
            ``(5) Waiver.--
                    ``(A) Required waiver.--The Secretary shall provide 
                for the partial or total waiver or suspension of any 
                obligation of service or payment of a recipient of a 
                scholarship under this subpart, if the Secretary 
                determines that--
                            ``(i) it is not possible for the recipient 
                        to meet the obligation or make the payment;
                            ``(ii) requiring the recipient to meet the 
                        obligation or make the payment would result in 
                        extreme hardship to the recipient; or
                            ``(iii) the enforcement of the requirement 
                        to meet the obligation or make the payment 
                        would be unconscionable.
                    ``(B) Permissible waiver.--Notwithstanding any 
                other provision of law, for other good cause shown, the 
                Secretary may waive, in whole or in part, the right of 
                the United States to recover funds made available under 
                this section.
            ``(6) Bankruptcy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), and 
                notwithstanding any other provision of law, with 
                respect to a recipient of a scholarship under this 
                subpart, no obligation for payment may be released by a 
                discharge in bankruptcy under title 11.
                    ``(B) Exception.--The prohibition described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall not apply if--
                            ``(i) such discharge is granted after the 
                        expiration of the 5-year period beginning on 
                        the initial date on which that payment is due; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) the bankruptcy court finds that the 
                        nondischarge of the obligation would be 
                        unconscionable.
    ``(e) Applicability of Other Provisions.--Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, an individual receiving a scholarship under this 
subpart shall continue to be eligible for any other grant programs and 
loan forgiveness programs for which the individual would otherwise be 
eligible.

``SEC. 259C. INDIAN STUDENT EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each 
        eligible applicant who is accepted for a scholarship under this 
        section with a scholarship grant in each school year or years 
        for a period during which such individual is pursuing a course 
        of study in early childhood education, elementary or secondary 
        education, or school administration at an institution of higher 
        education.
            ``(2) Designation.--Scholarships made under paragraph (1) 
        shall be designated `Indian student educator scholarships'.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select which 
        eligible applicants will receive an Indian student educator 
        scholarship under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Criteria.--In order to be eligible to receive an 
        Indian student educator scholarship, an individual shall--
                    ``(A) be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, 
                as a full-time or part-time student in a course of 
                study in early childhood education, elementary or 
                secondary education, or school administration at an 
                institution of higher education;
                    ``(B) submit an application to participate in the 
                Indian educator scholarship program at such time and in 
                such manner as the Secretary shall determine; and
                    ``(C) sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time 
                that such application is submitted, a written contract 
                as described in section 259B, which shall include a 
                commitment to serve through full-time employment at an 
                eligible school for the period of obligated service.
    ``(c) Eligible Schools.--An individual shall be considered to be 
serving, through full-time employment at an eligible school, as 
required under section 259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed 
full-time--
            ``(1) in a Bureau-funded school, including a Bureau of 
        Indian Education early childhood development program;
            ``(2) in a public elementary school or secondary school 
        that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes;
            ``(3) in a tribal early childhood education program; or
            ``(4) in a federally funded early childhood education 
        program that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes.
    ``(d) Placement Assistance.--The Secretary shall assist the 
recipient of an Indian educator scholarship in learning about placement 
opportunities in eligible schools by transmitting the name and 
educational credentials of such recipient to--
            ``(1) State educational agency clearinghouses for 
        recruitment and placement of early childhood, kindergarten, 
        elementary school, and secondary school teachers and school 
        administrators in States with a significant number of Indian 
        children;
            ``(2) Bureau of Indian Education early childhood 
        development programs;
            ``(3) elementary schools and secondary schools that are 
        Bureau-funded schools; and
            ``(4) tribal educational agencies.

``SEC. 259D. INDIAN EDUCATOR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide to each 
        eligible applicant who is accepted for a scholarship under this 
        section with a scholarship grant in each school year or years 
        for a period during which such individual is pursuing a course 
        of study in early childhood education, elementary or secondary 
        education, or school administration at an institution of higher 
        education.
            ``(2) Designation.--Scholarships made under paragraph (1) 
        shall be designated `Indian educator scholarships'.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select which 
        eligible applicants will receive an Indian educator scholarship 
        under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Criteria.--In order to be eligible to receive an 
        Indian educator scholarship, an individual shall--
                    ``(A) be an Indian;
                    ``(B) be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, 
                as a full-time or part-time student in a course of 
                study in early childhood education, elementary or 
                secondary education, or school administration at an 
                institution of higher education;
                    ``(C) submit an application to participate in the 
                Indian educator scholarship program at such time and in 
                such manner as the Secretary shall determine; and
                    ``(D) sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time 
                that such application is submitted, a written contract 
                as described in section 259B, which shall include a 
                commitment to serve through full-time employment at an 
                eligible school for the period of obligated service.
    ``(c) Eligible Schools.--An individual shall be considered to be 
serving, through full-time employment at an eligible school, as 
required under section 259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the individual is employed 
full-time--
            ``(1) in a Bureau-funded school, including a Bureau of 
        Indian Education early childhood development program;
            ``(2) in a public elementary school or secondary school 
        that is in the school district of a local educational agency 
        which is eligible during the period of obligated service for 
        assistance under part A of title I of the Elementary and 
        Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.);
            ``(3) in a tribal early childhood education program; or
            ``(4) in a federally funded early childhood education 
        program that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes.
    ``(d) Placement Assistance.--The Secretary shall assist the 
recipient of an Indian educator scholarship in learning about placement 
opportunities in eligible schools by transmitting the name and 
educational credentials of such recipient to--
            ``(1) State educational agency clearinghouses for 
        recruitment and placement of kindergarten, elementary school, 
        and secondary school teachers and school administrators in 
        States with a significant number of Indian children;
            ``(2) Bureau of Indian Education early childhood 
        development programs;
            ``(3) elementary schools and secondary schools that are 
        Bureau-funded schools; and
            ``(4) tribal educational agencies.''.

``SEC. 259E. INDIAN EDUCATOR GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall make scholarship 
        grants in accordance with this section to Indians who are 
        enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in institutions of 
        higher education and pursuing a graduate level course of study 
        in education or school administration.
            ``(2) Designation.--Scholarships made under paragraph (1) 
        shall be designated `Indian educator graduate fellowships'.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall select which 
        eligible applicants will receive an Indian educator graduate 
        fellowship under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Criteria.--In order to be eligible to receive an 
        Indian educator graduate fellowship, an individual shall--
                    ``(A) be an Indian;
                    ``(B) be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, 
                as a full-time or part-time student in a graduate level 
                course of study in education or school administration 
                at an institution of higher education;
                    ``(C) submit an application to participate in the 
                Indian educator graduate fellowship program at such 
                time and in such manner as the Secretary shall 
                determine; and
                    ``(D) sign and submit to the Secretary, at the time 
                that such application is submitted, a written contract 
                as described in section 259B, which shall include a 
                commitment to serve through full-time employment at an 
                eligible service employer for the period of obligated 
                service.
    ``(c) Eligible Service Employers.--An individual shall be 
considered to be serving, through full-time employment at an eligible 
service employer, as required under section 259B(b)(1)(B)(iv), if the 
individual is employed full-time--
            ``(1) in a Bureau-funded school;
            ``(2) in a public elementary school or secondary school 
        that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes;
            ``(3) by a Native-serving institution of higher education;
            ``(4) in a tribal early childhood education program;
            ``(5) in a federally funded early childhood education 
        program that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        determined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes;
            ``(6) for a tribal educational agency;
            ``(7) for a State educational agency or local educational 
        agency that serves a significant number of Indian students, as 
        defined by the Secretary in consultation with Indian tribes;
            ``(8) for the Department of Education; or
            ``(9) for the Bureau of Indian Education.
    ``(d) Placement Assistance.--The Secretary shall assist the 
recipient of an Indian educator graduate fellowship in learning about 
placement opportunities in eligible service employers in such manner as 
the Secretary determines appropriate.''.

             PART B--LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR INDIAN EDUCATORS

SEC. 111. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR EDUCATORS WORKING IN BUREAU OF INDIAN 
              EDUCATION-FUNDED SCHOOLS AND LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCIES 
              WITH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF AMERICAN INDIAN STUDENTS.

    (a) Part B Loans.--Section 428J of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1078-10) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``subject to 
        paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c),'' before ``has been 
        employed''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Additional amounts for educators in bureau of indian 
        education-funded schools and local educational agencies with a 
        high percentage of american indian students.--Notwithstanding 
        the amount specified in paragraph (1) and the requirements 
        under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(1), the 
        aggregate amount that the Secretary shall repay under this 
        section shall be not less than $17,500 in the case of a 
        borrower who has been employed as a full-time teacher or school 
        administrator for 5 consecutive complete school years as--
                    ``(A) a teacher or school administrator in a local 
                educational agency described in section 6112(b)(1) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; or
                    ``(B) a teacher or school administrator in a 
                Bureau-funded school (as defined in section 1141 of the 
                Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)).''.
    (b) Part D Loans.--Section 460 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1087j) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)(1) by inserting ``subject to 
        paragraphs (4) and (5) of subsection (c),'' before ``has been 
        employed''; and
            (2) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Additional amounts for educators in bureau of indian 
        education-funded schools and local educational agencies with a 
        high percentage of american indian students.--Notwithstanding 
        the amount specified in paragraph (1) and the requirements 
        under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (b)(1), the 
        aggregate amount that the Secretary shall cancel under this 
        section shall be not less than $17,500 in the case of a 
        borrower who has been employed as a full-time teacher or school 
        administrator for 5 consecutive complete school years as--
                    ``(A) a teacher or school administrator in a local 
                educational agency described in section 6112(b)(1) of 
                the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; or
                    ``(B) a teacher or school administrator in a 
                Bureau-funded school (as defined in section 1141 of the 
                Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021)).''.

SEC. 112. LOAN FORGIVENESS FOR AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATORS.

    (a) Part B Loans.--Section 428J(c) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1078-10(c)), as amended by section 111, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Additional amounts for american indian educators.--
        Notwithstanding the amount specified in paragraph (1) and the 
        requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
        (b)(1), the aggregate amount that the Secretary shall repay 
        under this section shall be not less than $17,500 in the case 
        of a borrower who--
                    ``(A) has been employed as a full-time teacher or 
                school administrator for 5 consecutive complete school 
                years in--
                            ``(i) a Bureau-funded elementary school or 
                        secondary school (as defined in section 1141 of 
                        the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 
                        2021)); or
                            ``(ii) a public elementary school or 
                        secondary school that is in the school district 
                        of a local educational agency which is eligible 
                        during the period of obligated service for 
                        assistance under part A of title I of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
                    ``(B) is a member of an Indian tribe (as defined in 
                section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).''.
    (b) Part D Loans.--Section 460(c) of the Higher Education Act of 
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087j(c)), as amended by section 111, is further 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(5) Additional amounts for american indian educators.--
        Notwithstanding the amount specified in paragraph (1) and the 
        requirements under subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection 
        (b)(1), the aggregate amount that the Secretary shall cancel 
        under this section shall be not less than $17,500 in the case 
        of a borrower who--
                    ``(A) has been employed as a full-time teacher or 
                school administrator for 5 consecutive complete school 
                years in--
                            ``(i) a Bureau-funded elementary school or 
                        secondary school (as defined in section 1141 of 
                        the Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 
                        2021)); or
                            ``(ii) a public elementary school or 
                        secondary school that is in the school district 
                        of a local educational agency which is eligible 
                        during the period of obligated service for 
                        assistance under part A of title I of the 
                        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq.); and
                    ``(B) is a member of an Indian tribe (as defined in 
                section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
                Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)).''.

SEC. 113. CANCELLATION OF LOANS FOR EDUCATORS TEACHING IN BUREAU OF 
              INDIAN EDUCATION-FUNDED SCHOOLS AND NATIVE AMERICAN 
              LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAMS.

    Section 465(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087ee(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) in clause (i)(II), by striking ``or'' after the 
                semicolon;
                    (B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``or'' after the 
                semicolon; and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (ii) the following:
                            ``(iii) in an elementary school or 
                        secondary school that is a Bureau-funded school 
                        (as defined in section 1141 of the Education 
                        Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021));'' and
            (2) in subparagraph (G), by inserting ``Native American 
        language immersion,'' after ``foreign languages,''.

                      TITLE II--INSTITUTIONAL AID

 PART A--PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS FOR NATIVE-SERVING ELEMENTARY 
                     SCHOOLS AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS

SEC. 201. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    Subpart 2 of part A of title VI of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7441 et seq.) is amended by adding at 
the end the following:

``SEC. 6123. NATIONAL BOARD CERTIFICATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are--
            ``(1) to improve the skills of qualified individuals who 
        are Indian (as defined by section 103 of the Native American 
        Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2902)) or who teach Indian people;
            ``(2) to provide an incentive for qualified educators to 
        continue to utilize their enhanced skills in elementary schools 
        and secondary schools serving Indian communities; and
            ``(3) to increase the retention of highly skilled Indian 
        educators in elementary schools and secondary schools seeking 
        to better incorporate Indian culture and history into the 
        general curriculum.
    ``(b) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Bureau-funded school.--The term `Bureau-funded 
        school' has the meaning given the term in section 1141 of the 
        Education Amendments of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 2021).
            ``(2) Eligible entities.--The term `eligible entity' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a State educational agency in consortium with 
                an institution of higher education;
                    ``(B) a local educational agency in consortium with 
                an institution of higher education;
                    ``(C) an Indian tribe or organization, in 
                consortium with a local educational agency and an 
                institution of higher education;
                    ``(D) an Indian tribe or organization, in 
                consortium with a Bureau-funded school and an 
                institution of higher education; or
                    ``(E) a Bureau-funded school in consortium with an 
                institution of higher education.
            ``(3) Eligible educators.--The term `eligible educator' 
        means--
                    ``(A) a teacher who teaches a minimum number of 
                Indian students, as determined by the Secretary in 
                consultation with Indian tribes; or
                    ``(B) a teacher who is Indian.
            ``(4) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
        meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
        Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
    ``(c) Program Authorized.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
grants to eligible entities having applications approved under this 
section to enable such eligible entities to--
            ``(1) reimburse eligible educators for out-of-pocket costs 
        associated with obtaining teacher certification or 
        credentialing by the National Board for Professional Teaching 
        Standards; and
            ``(2) provide an increase in annual compensation, in an 
        amount equal to not less than $5,000 and not more than a 
        $10,000, for eligible educators with a certification from the 
        National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for the 
        duration of the grant under this section.
    ``(d) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant 
        under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary 
        at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such 
        information, as the Secretary may reasonably require.
            ``(2) Special rule.--In the case of an eligible entity 
        desiring to utilize all or a portion of a grant under this 
        section for eligible educators identified in subparagraph (B) 
        of subsection (b)(3) who would not also qualify as an eligible 
        educator under subparagraph (A) of subsection (b)(3), the 
        eligible entity shall provide an assurance that grant funds 
        will support only those educators who are tribally enrolled or 
        affiliated with an Indian tribe.
    ``(e) Awarding of Grants.--In awarding grants under this section, 
the Secretary shall determine the amount and length of each grant, 
which shall not exceed 5 years.
    ``(f) Restrictions on Compensation Increases.--The Secretary shall 
require and ensure that individuals who obtain a certification from the 
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards under this section 
continue to teach at a school served by the eligible entity through 
which funding for such certification was obtained as a condition of 
receiving annual compensation increases provided for in this section.
    ``(g) Progress Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--For every year for which Congress 
        allocates funds for grants under this section, the Secretary 
        shall provide a report on the progress of the eligible entities 
        receiving grants under this section in meeting applicable 
        progress standards, as determined by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall disseminate the 
        report described in this subsection to each of the following:
                    ``(A) The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
                and Pensions of the Senate.
                    ``(B) The Committee on Indian Affairs of the 
                Senate.
                    ``(C) The Subcommittee on Indian, Insular, and 
                Alaska Native Affairs of the Committee on Natural 
                Resources of the House of Representatives.
                    ``(D) The Committee on Education and the Workforce 
                of the House of Representatives.''.

  PART B--NATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM GRANTS FOR NATIVE-
                SERVING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

SEC. 211. NATIVE LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT GRANTS 
              FOR TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND INSTITUTIONS OF 
              HIGHER EDUCATION THAT SERVE SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF NATIVE 
              STUDENTS.

    Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1051 et 
seq.) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating part G as part H; and
            (2) by inserting after part F the following:

``PART G--NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

``SEC. 381. NATIVE AMERICAN LANGUAGE TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM 
              DEVELOPMENT.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to establish a grant 
program that seeks--
            ``(1) to increase the number of well-trained and 
        pedagogically effective Native American language speakers in 
        teaching and other education professions that serve Indian 
        people;
            ``(2) to provide ongoing training and professional 
        development to Native American immersion and language 
        instructors to improve their linguistic and pedagogical skills; 
        and
            ``(3) to support the efforts of American Indian and Alaska 
        Native communities to effectively revitalize, maintain, and 
        teach their languages, as envisioned in the Native American 
        Languages Act (25 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) and section 803C of the 
        Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b-3).
    ``(b) Definition of Eligible Institution.--In this section, the 
term `eligible institution' means any of the following:
            ``(1) An institution eligible to receive funding under 
        section 316, 317(b), or 319(b).
            ``(2) A consortium of 2 or more institutions described in 
        paragraph (1).
    ``(c) Grant Program Authorized.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a program, 
        to be known as the Native American Language Teacher Training 
        Program, under which the Secretary shall provide grants, on a 
        competitive basis, to eligible institutions to promote the 
        recruitment and training of Native immersion and language 
        teachers to further support the revitalization, maintenance, 
        and use of Native American languages in the classroom.
            ``(2) Duration.--A grant under paragraph (1) shall be for a 
        period of not more than 5 years.
            ``(3) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under this subsection, an eligible institution 
                shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
                time, in such manner, and containing such information 
                as the Secretary may reasonably require.
                    ``(B) Application paperwork reduction.--
                            ``(i) The Secretary shall establish 
                        application requirements in such a manner as to 
                        simplify and streamline the process for 
                        applying for grants under this section.
                            ``(ii) The Secretary shall not require any 
                        Tribal College or University, as defined in 
                        section 316, applying individually for a grant 
                        under this section, to submit any separate, 
                        preliminary, or additional grant eligibility 
                        application or information because of the 
                        institution's status as a Tribal College or 
                        University.
                    ``(C) Inclusion.--An application under this 
                paragraph shall include a plan for the program proposed 
                to be carried out by the eligible institution, 
                including--
                            ``(i) a description of a 5-year strategy 
                        for meeting the Native immersion teacher 
                        recruitment and training needs of American 
                        Indians or Alaska Natives, as appropriate, in 
                        the population served by the institution, 
                        including a description of any partnerships 
                        with tribal, local, or Bureau-operated 
                        educational agencies;
                            ``(ii) an identification of the American 
                        Indian or Alaska Native population to be served 
                        by the eligible institution;
                            ``(iii) an identification of the status of 
                        the target Native American language or 
                        languages used within the population;
                            ``(iv) a description of the professional 
                        development and degree services to be provided 
                        under the program, including the manner in 
                        which the services will be integrated with 
                        other appropriate activities and programs; and
                            ``(v) a description, to be prepared in 
                        consultation with the Secretary, of the 
                        performance measures to be used to assess the 
                        performance of the eligible institution 
                        carrying out the program.
                    ``(D) Requirement.--A program plan under 
                subparagraph (C) shall be consistent with the purposes 
                of this section, as determined by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Use of Funds.--
            ``(1) Required activities.--A grantee shall use grant funds 
        provided under this section to carry out the following 
        activities:
                    ``(A) Development of a new Native American 
                immersion and language teacher training program that 
                leads to State or tribal teacher certification.
                    ``(B) Support and expansion of an existing Native 
                American immersion and language teacher training 
                program that leads to a State or tribal teacher 
                certification.
                    ``(C) Development and delivery of professional 
                development workshops and courses aimed at improving 
                the immersion and language acquisition pedagogical 
                practices of Native American immersion and language 
                teachers.
            ``(2) Allowable activities.--A grantee may use grant funds 
        provided under this section to carry out additional activities, 
        including--
                    ``(A) curriculum development and academic 
                instruction, including educational activities, 
                programs, and partnerships relating to students in 
                prekindergarten through grade 12;
                    ``(B) development and establishment of a national 
                Native American immersion and language teacher best 
                practices guideline or certification;
                    ``(C) professional development for institutional 
                faculty or for elementary and secondary education 
                administrators and educational support staff; and
                    ``(D) innovative Native American language and 
                immersion program classroom research for students in 
                prekindergarten through grade 12.
    ``(e) Concurrent Funding.--An eligible institution that receives a 
grant under this section may concurrently receive funds under section 
316, 317, or 319.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.''.
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