Office of Indian Education

There are 22 federally recognized Tribes in Arizona. Most of the tribes have a Tribal Education Department (TED), a Tribal Education Director, or another designated representative. A few tribes solely contain schools that are operated by the Bureau of Indian Education. We have compiled tribal information and community profiles below. 

The Tribal College Dual Enrollment Program provides Arizona’s high school students the opportunity to take college courses for both high school and college credit. Course costs are free to the student. Participating tribal colleges are reimbursed for tuition and fees associated with participating students. Effective September 24, 2022, the Arizona state legislature passed SB1300, allowing the Arizona Department of Education to reimburse the cost of books and instructional materials. 

Johnson-O’Malley (JOM) is a federal program whose main objective is to ensure Indian children receive educational opportunities that would not otherwise be provided through the public school system. JOM is a supplemental program providing special services to Indian students based on the needs of individual communities.

How to Challenge Misconceptions of Native Americans 

• Video: Changing the Way We See Native Americans
• Article: What’s Wrong with this Diorama?
   

Lessons Learned from a Non-Native Teacher 

Arizona Indian Education Annual Report

• 2023 Arizona Indian Education Annual Report
• 2022 Arizona Indian Education Annual Report
• 2021 Arizona Indian Education Annual Report

ESSA Tribal Consultation versus Tribal Collaboration

We use the term consultation in reference to the public law requirement for certain LEAs (see the Affected LEA section for more details), whereas collaboration refers to a general building of relationships with tribes which is recommended for all school districts to engage in, in order to be culturally responsive.

The Indian Education Advisory Council (IEAC) is mandated by law (A.R.S. 15-244) and is made up of students, parents, educators, and community members representing various Native American communities across Arizona. The IEAC discusses issues and advises the State Superintendent and the Department of Education on department policies and practices impacting Native American students and educators. The council also collaborates with experts and additional stakeholders to advance the council’s priorities and goals.