In 2021, the Bureau of Indian Education launched the Strategic Transformation of Education Plan to improve digital infrastructure and technology for students. STEP aims to enable schools to transition smoothly to remote learning when required and stabilize the educational environments on campus as well as prepare students for rapid technological advancements.
“Everything is about our students,” said David Cheatham, the Division of Education Technology School Operations Chief for the Bureau of Indian Education. “The initiative was designed to help our students improve their educational process and teachers to deliver educational content anywhere and at any time.”
Since then, the BIE’s information technology professionals have been working hard to update internet technology nationwide. They began by assessing each school's requirements to ensure the internet infrastructure could support staff and students accessing it simultaneously.
Cheatham said that two thirds of the 55 Bureau Operated Schools have received new IT infrastructure, providing a “seamless, immediate, reliable connection” through a wireless network. Schools have also been equipped with new computers and tablets for students and staff.
“We want to make education enjoyable for our students,” Cheatham said. “It's not fun if they click on something and it takes 10 minutes to load on the computer.”
The STEP Initiative introduced a user-friendly electronic learning management system, allowing students to access and complete assignments quickly. Teachers can now complete administrative tasks, monitor student progress and communicate with parents and guardians instantaneously.
“The new technology has involved parents to a greater degree,” Cheatham said. “If they get involved in the technology aspect a little bit, then they're going to begin helping their kids with homework and projects that they're doing at home.”
IT professionals also train school staff, including administrators and teachers. This collaboration has fostered a community among IT staff across states, enabling them to share challenges and successes as they adapt to the new technology.
“We should always be learning new ways of delivering things. When we learn new things like that, it improves our ability to provide educational content and more of it,” Cheatham said.
Approximately 100 federal employees and contractors have contributed to the STEP Initiative. Even after installations are complete, IT professionals will remain available for regular assessments, equipment updates and troubleshooting.
“We know what we're doing impacts our students directly, and we're continuing to build our IT organization,” Cheatham said. “Things break, and that's why you need IT professionals. We’ve got a great team.”
Find out more about the Strategic Transformation of Education Plan at bie.edu/landing-page/strategic-transformation-education-plan.
