January 28, 2026
WASHINGTON — Earlier this month The Department of the Interior released a new Strategic Direction for the Bureau of Indian Education, establishing a performance-driven roadmap to improve student outcomes, strengthen Native language and culture and enhance operational effectiveness across Bureau-funded schools. The Strategic Direction reinforces tribal sovereignty and local control by prioritizing flexible, community-driven approaches rather than one-size-fits-all programming.
High School Graduation Rates at Bureau-funded schools increased from 51 percent in 2015 to 79 percent in 2025. The Strategic Direction sets clear performance indicators to guide continued progress through 2030.
“The Bureau of Indian Education is delivering results that matter—higher graduation rates, stronger academic growth, and expanded access to education options,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland.
The Strategic Direction establishes ambitious, measurable goals across three priority areas — student success, cultural identity and language, and wellness and supportive learning environments. Key targets include:
- Graduation rate: Increase the high school graduation rate from 79% to 87% which is the national average for other public schools.
- Academic growth: Improve student progress by 5 percent each year in English and math, with every school setting goals and tracking performance.
- College and career readiness: Expand student participation in transition planning for college, career, and military pathways.
- Post-secondary success: Increase persistence, retention, and graduation rates at Bureau-operated technical colleges and universities.
- Cultural instruction: Expand access to Native Language and Cultural Instruction for students.
- Early childhood partnerships: Increase partnerships with tribal, state, and federal early childhood programs.
- Wellness frameworks: Expand implementation of comprehensive wellness frameworks and reduce chronic absenteeism by 10 percent.
- Technology access: Increase school-level use of Bureau of Indian Education Technology Planning Tools.
- Facilities management: Improve school use of Bureau of Indian Education systems to manage repairs and resources.
“This Strategic Direction defines clear goals and holds us accountable for meeting them,” said Bureau of Indian Education Director Tony L. Dearman. “It strengthens our partnerships with tribal communities and ensures every student can succeed in an education system that respects their identity and supports their future.”
The Strategic Direction was shaped by input from more than 1,500 staff, stakeholders and students. Progress will be continuously evaluated through Bureau of Indian Education data systems, with schools reporting timely and accurate data to support transparency, responsiveness, and accountability.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a Dear Tribal Leader Letter inviting Tribal Leaders to a consultation on the Indian Education Partnership Inter-agency Agreements (IAA) between the U.S. Departments of Education (ED), Department of Interior (DOI) and Department of Labor (DOL). The consultation will occur in Washington, D.C. on February 10, 2026.
Consultation with elected Tribal Leadership is an important next step in the Indian Education Partnership. Meaningful input from the American First Nations Tribes, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Communities will guide and inform the implementation of the IAA.
They are ready to work with Tribal Leaders and hear their perspectives on how the Federal Government can empower all Tribes and best support every Native Student across the country, according to Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education at the Department of Education Kirsten Baesler. “Through this partnership, we will strengthen educational services to all Native Students and their families, including those attending public schools, who constitute over 90% of all Native Students.”
“The Department of the Interior is committed to delivering education programs that produce results for Native students,” said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs at the Department of the Interior Billy Kirkland. “Consultation strengthens coordination and helps shape decisions affecting Native education. We are excited to work with tribes to improve program delivery, enforce accountability, and drive measurable outcomes for Native Students.”
“The Department of Labor and the Employment and Training Administration are committed to genuine dialog with Tribal Leaders as we streamline grant-making to Tribes and free education and career preparation from the excessive bureaucracy of the past, allowing for true Tribal Sovereignty,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training at the Department of Labor Dr. Henry Mack.
Background
On November 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced deepening partnerships with DOI and DOL. These partnerships will be governed by IAAs through which ED will procure services from DOI and DOL for certain covered programs. DOI and DOL will provide services, technical assistance, and support for the integration of Native-serving programs. Per the IAA, DOI will take on a greater role in supporting administration of Indian Education programs relating to elementary and secondary education, higher education, career and technical education, and vocational rehabilitation. DOL will take on a growing role in ensuring applicable fiscal appropriation set-asides for Tribes result in supporting programs that boost literacy rates, strengthen employable skills, and connect Native Youth and Adults to meaningful workforce pathways. ED will maintain all statutory and policy making authorities governing covered programs.
Per ED’s Tribal Consultation Policy, “In the operation of its programs, ED will consult with tribes and seriously consider tribal views, information, and interests, taking into account the resource and time constraints for conducting agency business. ED will also make a serious effort to incorporate those views, information, and interests in ED’s programs whenever new initiatives or program changes would have a substantial direct effect on Indian educational opportunities under those programs.”
The February consultation will be conducted by the U.S. Office of Indian Education and will include Senior Department Officials with authority to act on recommendations from Tribal Leaders.
Editor Note - First Nations.News and the Sault Tribe Guardian refers to tribes as what we believe is the correct terminology; First Nations Tribes verse American Indians. Any reference to "American Indians" is provided by others.