About the Bureau of Indian Education

The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is a service organization devoted to providing quality education opportunities for American Indian people. Established in the latter part of the nineteenth century to carry out the Federal Government's education commitment to Indian tribes. BIE's vision is to create a preeminent education school system by fulfilling its mission of serving children and their families from birth through life, working in partnership with Indian tribes, families, communities and American Indian education organizations. The BIE fulfills its mission through its headquarters, Central Office East - located in Washington, D.C. and Central Office West - located in Albuquerque, NM, and 19 regional offices throughout the United States. The 184 elementary and secondary schools and dormitories funded by the Federal Government provide an education program to approximately 50,000 students from birth through grade twelve. The Bureau of Indian Education also operates two post-secondary institutions and funds 24 colleges operated by tribes and tribal organizations.

BIE has transformed from an organization whose primary goal was to implement the assimilation policies of the Federal Government to one that recognizes its unique commitment to serve the needs of American Indians. BIE is a dynamic organization focused on the needs of the spiritual, physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of the whole person. We honor the government-to-government relationship between the Federal Government and American Indian nations and fulfill our mission through this relationship.

The Secretary of the Interior established the BIE as its own Bureau operating parallel with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and reporting directly to the Office of the Assistant Secretary - Indian Affairs, by Secretarial Order.