Arizona lawmaker introduces bill aimed at Native American students

PHOENIX — An Arizona lawmaker has introduced a bill that offers vouchers to Native American students to diversify their educational options.

U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs on Tuesday presented the Native American Education Opportunity Act, which would fund students who attend Bureau of Indian Education schools.

The program would give students an $8,000 deposit per year into an educational savings account.

Those funds could be used for cost of attendance at private schools, private online programs, tutoring, transportation and other educational services.

"This bill gives Native American families and their children the freedom to choose alternative educational services other than the ones currently provided by the Bureau of Indian Education," Biggs said in a press release.

"School choice is critical to the foundation of America's children, and I am honored to work alongside Indian Country leaders to make this opportunity a reality."

The bill would establish a five-year pilot program for tribes to create the vouchers.

It is endorsed by the Navajo Nation and Republican U.S. Reps Paul Gosar and Debbie Lesko.

"We know school choice works, and we owe it to tribal communities to ensure they have the freedom to also pursue the best possible education opportunities for their children," Gosar said in the release.