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EO 13592Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13592

Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities

This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education, co-chaired by the Secretaries of Education and Interior, to improve educational outcomes for AI/AN students across all educational settings. It mandates interagency coordination, requires a Memorandum of Understanding between Education and Interior within 120 days, and directs federal agencies to develop four-year implementation plans with annual performance reporting.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 76603

Impact dates

  1. Agency plans submitted to Initiative (deadline established by co-chairs)

  2. Annual Performance Reports due to Initiative

  3. Memorandum of Understanding between Department of Education and Department of Interior completed

Key directives

  • Establish White House Initiative on AI/AN Education co-chaired by Secretaries of Education and Interior
  • Appoint Executive Director as senior-level Department of Education official
  • Complete Memorandum of Understanding between Education and Interior within 120 days
  • Develop national network for sharing best practices in AI/AN education
  • Each agency develop two-part 4-year plan with annual performance indicators
  • Each agency submit Annual Performance Report measuring against plan objectives
  • Synthesize interagency plan for submission to President
  • Encourage private sector assistance to schools serving AI/AN students
  • Study and collect information on AI/AN student education

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Establishment of White House Initiative on AI/AN Education
  • Establishment of Interagency Working Group
  • Revocation of prior executive orders (13270, 13336, and section 1(n) of 13585)

Near term (90d)

  • Completion of Memorandum of Understanding between Department of Education and Department of Interior (120 days)

Long term

  • Development and implementation of four-year agency plans
  • Annual performance reporting cycle
  • Sustained interagency coordination through Initiative and Working Group

Risks & tensions

  • No new appropriations guaranteed—funding contingent on 'availability of appropriations' and 'existing appropriations'
  • Agency plan submission deadline set by co-chairs, not fixed in text, creating uncertainty for timeline
  • Advisory role of NACIE may limit enforcement leverage; no explicit consequences for non-compliance
  • Private sector engagement is encouraged but not mandated, potentially limiting resource mobilization
  • Vague scope of 'study and collect information' in Section 4 lacks specificity or deadline
Executive Order 13592: Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities · Executive Orders