Innovation, data fixes fuel Native American graduation gains at federally funded schools

By — Savannah Peters, Associated Pres Savannah Peters, Associated Pres Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/education/innovation-data-fixes-fuel-native-american-graduation-gains-at-federally-funded-schools Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Innovation, data fixes fuel Native American graduation gains at federally funded schools Education Jul 12, 2026 5:29 PM EDT During his senior year of high school on the Puyallup Reservation, Gerald Dillon traded much of his academic coursework for career training. When he walked into the second grade classroom where he worked as a teaching assistant, students would rush from their seats for a fist bump or a hug. The 18-year-old, who once found classes boring and put in only enough effort to pass, found renewed purpose to come to school everyday. "It motivates me. I like making connections with the kids, I like helping them," Dillon said. It began in his junior year when he enrolled in career training courses. Soon, Dillon said, his grades improved. He graduated in June from Chief Leschi Schools in Washington and is now considering going to college for a teaching degree. Administrators at the school say a shift in focus to technical training and career readiness is paying off, with more students not only staying in school but graduating on time. READ MORE: Teens' reading and math scores have stagnated, U.S. test results show Those gains are emblematic of progress across the U.S. Bureau of Indian Education, which oversees 183 primary and secondary schools serving over 40,000 students. In 2015, just over half of high schoolers at BIE schools graduated within four years. That number soared to a record high of 79% by 2025. Some BIE educators attribute that surge to local innovations. Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Billy Kirkland says they reflect the Trump administration's commitment to Native American students, including efforts to strengthen teacher training. In addition, the way graduation rates are reported across BIE schools was changed to address flawed data collection that previously depressed the numbers. But concerns loom that changes reshaping the BIE under the Trump administration — including the planned dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education and continued fallout from cuts instituted by DOGE — could undermine progress and prevent struggling schools from improving. Reporting standards net more accurate data 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 across the system used flawed methods to track graduation rates, often counting students who had transferred to other schools as dropouts. WATCH: Tribal colleges face uncertain future amid federal funding cuts "We had to come to a consensus and set an accountability framework for our schools," said Carmelia Becenti, th