BIE Students Prepared for a Digital Workforce

The Bureau of Indian Education is dedicated to helping students grow inside and outside the classroom. Today, this means preparing students for a digital world. BIE schools support students of all ages in learning the skills needed for digital workplaces and classrooms. Blended learning opportunities provide BIE students with multiple paths to succeed. 

BIE is working to bridge the opportunity gap for BIE students and to provide modern technology for students and staff. The goal is for every student and staff member to have access to a computer with high-speed internet. This will allow everyone to participate in classroom lessons simultaneously without issues. 

“The blended learning is giving us a ripe opportunity to make sure that all of our curriculums are aligned, and teachers are utilizing the technology every day,” said Vincent Mays, Ed.D., principal at Jeehdeezá Elementary School in Pinon, Arizona. 

At Jeehdeezá Elementary, kindergarten students are developing essential digital skills. They learn how to use laptops, complete short assignments online, and research topics on the Internet. This progress is much more significant than what was possible a few years ago. 

At Tohono O’odham High School in Sells, Arizona, students use their new tech skills to take charge of their learning. They can track their grades and assignments online. Principal Matthew Macarah noted that engagement and assessment scores have improved, with some students advancing two or three grade levels. 

“Every kid has a computer; they use it every period, and we're working to maximize that,” he said. “It's been really engaging the students, and the students get to see their growth,” which has increased their confidence. 

Technology has also opened more cultural opportunities for rural BIE schools. For example, Jeehdeezá Elementary, which lacks a music program, invites drum groups from across the country for music lessons through the Internet. At Tohono O’odham High School, students can learn the O’odham language online through Tohono O’odham Community College, combining cultural language learning with dual enrollment. 

“We’re trying to get the kids ready for college and then also ready for careers,” Macarah said. “The computers have definitely enabled that. We’re a small high school, and there are a lot of opportunities that can't happen in a rural area without this virtual learning. We’re hoping to keep opening doors and offering more classes that can expand our students’ horizons.” 

Due to improved technology, Many Farms High School in Many Farms, Arizona, now offers dual enrollment with Dine College. Two students earned nursing certificates in the last two years while dually enrolled, positioning them for future careers. 

Principal Louise Donald believes that the technology's success is partly due to her staff's eagerness to learn how to use it effectively. The staff regularly attends professional development sessions focused on blended learning and welcomes student feedback on technology use. 

“Having those open, honest conversations regarding our skill sets when it comes to technology has been helpful, especially transferring the information to our students,” Donald said. “Through additional support, we were able to do individual sessions to meet the needs of the staff.” 

As BIE schools continue to use technology in new ways, they allow students to learn faster and think more broadly, and Principal Mays sees a bright future because of this. 

“I see great success with our students,” he said. “Through this technology, the incubator has created an environment where one of our students – I don’t know which – will become the President of the United States or the President of the Navajo Nation.”