EDUCATION · ISSUE 1 OF 3
The School Systems — Who Runs What
What it is
Schools on the Navajo Nation are run by multiple governments simultaneously: Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) for federal schools, charter boards for independent schools, the Nation’s Division of Diné Education (DODE), and Johnson O’Malley programs for state-funded public schools. No single office is in charge of the whole. Several candidates asked whether this should be consolidated — and who the boss actually is.
The question candidates kept raising: "We have all these different school systems. Should they be consolidated? Who’s the boss here?" No candidate named the law that would answer it.
Learn
Understand the system — then consult an expert
Education 101 — how schooling, colleges, and workforce training shape opportunity; the multiple-government structure explained.
Title 2 & Title 26 — the central government and chapter authority: how the governance layers interact with school systems.
Consult an expert: Ask about school accountability on the Nation →
Plan & Assess
Where candidates stand — weigh it yourself
Schools & College — candidates side by side — what each candidate said about school governance and accountability.
The law says the language shall be taught — the full record on education from the interviews.
Ask any candidate: Who is responsible for the academic performance of BIE schools in your district, and what can you actually do about it? Full list →
Act
What you can do now
Request it: School performance data, graduation rates, and BIE school audit results are public federal records. How to request →
Report a concern: BIE complaints go to the regional BIE office. Tribal school complaints go to the school board and DODE. Find the right door →
Report & Monitor
Track progress — hold the right office accountable
What should be public: Graduation rates by school, BIE audit results, and DODE program evaluation reports. What should be public →
Track: Education survey → · Community Findings → · Share what you observe →
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