Native American graduation rates have seen significant gains in recent years, with a record high of 79% of high schoolers at U.S. Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools graduating within four years by 2025. This surge is attributed to local innovations and more accurate reporting of graduation rates.

Shift in Focus to Technical Training

Administrators at Chief Leschi Schools in Washington state say a shift in focus to technical training and career readiness is paying off, with more students staying in school and graduating on time. Gerald Dillon, an 18-year-old recent graduate, found renewed purpose in school after enrolling in career training courses, which included hands-on job training and working as a teaching assistant.

Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland attributes the gains to the Trump administration’s commitment to Native American students, including efforts to strengthen teacher training. However, concerns loom that changes reshaping the BIE under the Trump administration could undermine progress and prevent struggling schools from improving.

Reporting Standards and Data Collection

The surge in graduation rates reflects, in part, more accurate reporting rather than a sudden leap in student academic improvement, according to agency officials. For years, school administrators used flawed methods to track graduation rates, often counting students who had transferred to other schools as dropouts.

The BIE began standardizing data collection methods in 2018, which has painted a more accurate and encouraging picture. An AP analysis of BIE data found that graduation rates across the system are up 55% since new reporting standards began rolling out, with nine of its secondary schools reporting 100% growth or higher.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.