This hearing concerns a bill (S.1645) to: (1) reauthorize funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools and dormitory facilities; (2) prevent termination or alteration of BIA-funded schools except by specific provision of law or as requested by tribal governing bodies; and (3) require full disclosure to the tribal governing body of any relevant action under consideration by the Department of Interior of BIA. The bill also covers modifications to the funding formula for BIA schools, coordination of educational programs between BIA schools and public schools, extension of gifted and talented programs, details of funding for Navajo Community College, and policies on consultation between the Department of Interior and Indian tribes and organizations. Congress criticizes the BIA for denying the Indian people an effective voice in BIA programs, and supports Indian self-determination through grants to tribally controlled schools. New Mexico Senator DeConcini, a bill sponsor, stated that this bill is a reaction to recent BIA proposals made with tribal consultation. Statements came from senators and from representatives of the Department of Education, national Indian organizations, and tribal councils, schools, and education departments, and addressed the principle of direct government to government consultation on education issues, the failure of BIA to maintain the quality of Indian education, funding problems of cooperative schools integrating BIA and public school students, adult Indian education, measures of enrollment, and Indian eligibility problems. The Department of Interior statement strongly opposed enactment of the bill. (SV)