BiWeekly 1.0

For newer version of OIE Biweekly - click here.

OIE 2025 Annual Summit

September 2-4, 2025 at Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

Register online by August 31, 2025.

On-site registration will be available only if you are able to pay by credit card.

2025 Indigenous Literacy Project

• October 13, 2025 - Indigenous Literacy Symposium at ASU Labriola (Tempe, AZ)
• November 5, 2025 - Indigenous Author's Panel (virtual)
• November 19, 2025 - ILP Touch Point (virtual)

Registration will open on September 10, 2025! Our website will be updated with event details. Bookmark the page now! https://www.azed.gov/oie/literacyandstem

We are happy to introduce a new section in our Biweekly communication that is dedicated to recognizing achievements of AZ schools.

This month, we are proud to recognize Ganado High School for being the first ever recipient of the new ADE Copper Apple Award. This award is given to schools that exhibit Excellence in Action through outstanding improvements in performance and letter grade. Congratulations to everyone at GHS for setting an example of what can be achieved when we work together towards goals. Keep up the fantastic work! Click here to read more about accomplishments of GHS.

Do you want to recognize a school or district doing great work? Email indianeducation@azed.gov.

Student event brought to you by Native American Fatherhood & Families Association. All high school juniors and seniors are invited to attend a FREE college and vocational fair. Refreshments will be provided. Questions, contact Jill at jillm@aznaffa.org.

Friday, September 19, 2025 from 8:30-10:30am, at NAFFA, 525 W. Southern Ave., Mesa, AZ.

A winner from each AZ county and students from charter, private, tribal schools, and home schools will be selected to receive $529 towards an AZ529 education savings plan! Essay contest is open from August 25, 2025 to October 5, 2025.

All current 5th and 6th graders are eligible. Essays can be mailed or submitted online. Find full instructions and submit at www.az529.gov/essaycontest.

$150 stipend, free registration, and free camping opportunity available! Applications due by October 4, 2025. Open to high school and college students, young professionals, trail maintenance and land conservation volunteers, and representatives of under-represented communities.

This scholarship is to attend the 2025 Summit for AZ Trails from October 24-25, 2025 in Cottonwood, AZ. The selected individual will help organize and document the results of the Summit. Visit website to learn more.

Guaranteed scholarship for eligible AZ residents that ensures all tuition and fees are covered at AZ's public universities. Students must have minimum 2.5 GPA and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To learn more, visit the website for additional information.

To learn more about paying for college and FAFSA help, visit https://collegereadyaz.com/paying-for-college/. The high school class of 2026 will complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA form after October 1, 2025.

High school seniors can now apply for the National College Match by September 30, 2025 to be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship to partnering colleges. This is for high-achieving seniors from low-income backgrounds. Join their newsletter to learn more, or find eligibility details at www.questbridge.org.

Do you know a student who is in the top 5% of their class and want to attend an in-state university? Encourage them to apply for the AZ Flinn Foundation Scholarship. Valued at more than $135,000, the scholarship covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals at ASU, NAU, or U of A, plus study abroad. Visit website for information, and share with a student!

Here are some notable scholarships that have early deadlines. Some scholarships have virtual information sessions for students and parents.

• Gates Scholarship - Due September 15, 2025
• Coca Cola Scholarship - Due September 30, 2025
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship - Due November 12, 2025
• Dorrance Scholarship - Due February 5, 2026
• BigFuture Scholarships - Create a student account and complete steps for entries into monthly scholarship drawing (amounts vary).

Wednesday, September 3, 2025 from 4-6:30pm

Phoenix Indian School Visitor's Center - 300 E. Indian School Rd, Phoenix, AZ

Learn about voter registration, voting rights, and latest activities concerning the Native Vote. Fry Bread House will be providing Ultimate Indian Tacos for dinner. Free event! Register online to reserve your spot. Questions, call 602-264-6768 or email jshorthair@phxindcenter.org.

The U.S. Office of Indian Education is seeking nominations for interested individuals to serve on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE). Nominations must be completed by an Indian tribe or Organization and are due August 31, 2025. Visit website for instructions.

The Early Childhood Education Center at Salt River Schools invites you to a free conference that will focus on building parenting relationships and is open to all families that have children 12 and younger who are enrolled (or eligible to be enrolled) in a federally recognized tribe. Learn how to manage challenging behaviors in children and adults, how to practice culture and language skills at home, identifying quality child care, and more!

September 20, 2025 from 7:30am - 3pm at Talking Stick Resort. Childcare and/or alternative childcare is available. Registration must be completed by September 10. Questions, call 480-362-2098.

Earn $1000 when you become qualified to teach dual enrollment courses! Must be approved to teach a new dual enrollment course with an AZ post-secondary institution between April 2024 and December 2025. Current dual enrollment teachers who become qualified to teach an additional dual enrollment course also qualify. Questions, email teachercertification@elevateedaz.com, or visit their website.

Free professional learning on September 23, 2025 at the Desert Willow Conference Center, Phoenix, AZ, from 8am to 4:30pm. Register online by September 15, space is limited. Guest speakers include Dr. Jill Stamm, Dr. Dan Wuori, and Dr. Isela Garcia. For information, call 602-364-1530, or visit website.

Looking for science resources? Did you know the National Weather Service can virtually visit your classroom and talk with your students (free for K-12!)? Various programs and resources available from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov/education/back-to-school

Simmons University and National Center for Safe Supportive Schools is offering free asynchronous resources including:

• Institute for Trauma Treatment in Schools (ITTS) courses - for current mental health professionals. Visit website for details.
• Trauma Focused Intern Training Program - for current social work or counseling students interested in working in school settings. Visit website for details.

Virtual sessions now available. ADE, AZ Board of Regents, and Education Forward Arizona invite all middle school and high school school counselors, college and career counselors, and support staff to an upcoming session. Learn about the latest tools, resources, and data to support your CCR efforts. Events are 11:30am-1:30pm MST.

• September 17, 2025 | Register here
• or October 22, 2025 | Register here

College Board: Professional Development webinars are also available.

AskBenji hosts monthly webinars for high school counselors and educators. Join the next Lunch and Learn on September 24, 2025 from 11:30-12:30pm MST. Hear from ASU, U of A, and NAU about admissions updates. Register online to receive meeting information.

• Join the Arizona Science Center for a day of inspiration, innovation, and fun at the fall Educate to Innovate conference! September 19, 2025, 8:30am to 3:30pm. Visit website for more event information.
  
• Fund-A-Bus applications open, for AZ Title I schools. Applications considered on first come, first serve basis. Learn more and apply today!
• AZ Educators Advancing Classroom Research Program on October 23-25, 2025. For Title I educators in grades 3-8. $300 stipend available. Apply online by September 26, 2025.

See more resources and events on ASC website.

Free professional development opportunity for AZ high school counselors, college and career specialists, educators, and college access professionals.

Friday, September 12, 2025 from 8:30am - 2:30pm. In Tempe, AZ at ASU Memorial Union.

The AZ Math Standards Team invites you to a webinar covering Guidance for Middle School Math. September 18, 2025, with two times to choose from. Either 9-9:30am or 1-1:30pm. Designed for educators, administrators, and instructional leaders who are seeking clarity and direction in implementing effective middle school mathematics programs. View flyer for information.

• AZ Rural STEM Summit - August 26-29, 2025
• FAFSA and College Readiness Symposium - September 12, 2025
• AZ Language Association Conference - September 13, 2025
• The Southwest Middle Grades Summit - September 20, 2025
• American Indian Science & Engineering Society Conference - October 2-4, 2025
• National Indian Education Association Conference - October 8-11, 2025
• AZ Financial Literacy & Economic Education Conference - October 11, 2025
• 2025 ACT Arizona Conference, Tempe, AZ - December 9, 2025