Native American Schools See Big Jump in Graduation Rates

Students on the Puyallup Reservation in Washington found a new reason to stay in school when they started getting hands-on job training. One student, Gerald Dillon, was able to turn his academic life around after enrolling in career training courses. He started working as a teaching assistant in a second-grade classroom and discovered a new passion for helping kids. This approach is paying off for many students across the US, particularly in schools run by the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE).

In 2015, only half of high school students in BIE schools graduated within four years. By 2025, that number had skyrocketed to a record high of 79%. Some educators say local innovations, such as a focus on technical training and career readiness, are behind this surge. The way graduation rates are reported has also changed, providing a more accurate picture of student progress.

For years, school administrators used flawed methods to track graduation rates, often counting students who transferred to other schools as dropouts. But in 2018, the BIE began standardizing data collection methods. Since then, the data has shown a more encouraging trend. An analysis of BIE data found that graduation rates are up 55% since new reporting standards began rolling out.

Many BIE schools are run by tribes and receive federal funding. At some of these schools, educators are finding new ways to connect with students. For example, Chief Leschi Schools in Washington launched a career and technical curriculum in 2020, which includes programs in health sciences, education, and fisheries management. This approach has helped students like Dillon find a new motivation to stay in school.

However, not all tribal governments have the resources to pay for these kinds of programs or take over management of BIE schools. Some are struggling with chronic understaffing and crumbling infrastructure. Tribal leaders are pushing back against changes to the education system, fearing that progress could be undermined. They are calling for stability, increased funding, and better infrastructure to support their students.