The U.S. Department of the Interior is announcing the proposed members to form the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Standards, Assessments, and Accountability System Negotiated Rulemaking Committee (Committee) which will advise the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) through the BIE on a proposed rule to revise the Adequate Yearly Progress regulation as previously announced in the Federal Register. This notice solicits comments on the proposed membership, and invites additional nominations for Committee members who will adequately represent the interests that are likely to be significantly affected by the proposed rule. The Secretary also proposes to appoint Federal representatives to the Committee as listed.

Background
The purpose of the BIE Committee is to serve as an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and the Negotiated Rulemaking Act (NRA). Pursuant to the Federal Register notice of intent (82 FR 43199), the Secretary has selected 13 Tribal representatives and 5 Federal representatives for the Committee, for a proposed total of 18 members.

Every Student Succeeds Act
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) reauthorizes and amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). ESEA Section 8204, as amended by ESSA directs the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, if so requested, to use a negotiated rulemaking process to develop regulations for implementation of the Secretary of the Interior's responsibility to define standards, assessments, and an accountability system for Bureau-funded schools. The Committee will recommend regulations that will replace the existing regulations at 25 CFR part 30 and implement the Secretary's new statutory responsibility to define standards, assessments, and an accountability system for Bureau-funded schools consistent with ESEA section 1111, as amended, on a national, regional, or Tribal basis, as appropriate, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of such schools and the students served by such schools.

ESEA section 8204 also provides that if a Tribal governing body or school board of a Bureau-funded school determines the requirements established by the Secretary of the Interior are inappropriate, they may waive, in part or in whole, such requirements. Where such requirements are waived, the Tribal governing body or school board must, within 60 days, submit to the Secretary of the Interior a proposal for alternative standards, assessments, and an accountability system, if applicable, consistent with ESEA section 1111. The proposal will be approved by the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education, unless the proposed standards, assessments, and accountability system do not meet the requirements of ESEA section 1111, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of such school or schools and the students served. Additionally, a Tribal governing body or school board of a Bureau-funded school seeking a waiver may request, technical assistance from the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Education.