By Molly Ann Howell
Managing Editor
In 2015, the New Mexico Board of Education adopted the State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy to promote language skills across the state. This distinct award recognizes graduating high school seniors who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language. To support this initiative locally, Gallup-McKinley County Schools offers students the opportunity to earn their seal in either Navajo or Spanish.
Despite these opportunities, the Navajo language faces a steep decline. In 2021, Dr. Ophelia Sanchez, head of the GMCS Cultural Education Department, informed the school board that Navajo proficiency was decreasing rapidly. Sanchez shared a startling comparison: in 1980, 93% of the Navajo population was fluent, yet today, only 170,000 Americans speak the language.
To combat the decline, Sanchez introduced a “cultural fair” program. Each year, the department rotates academic subjects, requiring students in heritage language programs to present topics in Navajo, Zuni, or Spanish. For instance, this year’s fair focused on social studies.
Now, five years later, Sanchez came back in front of the board during their March 12 meeting to discuss how her department has taken measures to bring those numbers up and make sure that the Diné language doesn’t die out.
“We emphasize what students learn in our heritage language classes so they see how core academics bridge with their cultural teachings,” Sanchez said. “They practice using their voice, introducing themselves, and applying Navajo vocabulary to real-world experiences.”
During the meeting, students from Crownpoint Middle and High School demonstrated these skills. One middle school group presented on the dangers of uranium mining, while four elementary students explained the structure of the Navajo government.
Students from Crownpoint Middle School and High School presented their projects in front of the school board. One middle school group presented on the dangers of uranium mining, while four elementary students explained the structure of the Navajo government.
Sanchez views these presentations as a vital stepping stone. Specifically, she hopes these early experiences will help students ace their bilingual assessments by the 12th grade. While the state aims for each high school to identify at least five candidates for the assessment annually, Sanchez acknowledged that the tests have grown more difficult recently.
Furthermore, the requirements differ significantly between the two languages:
The Spanish Assessment: Students can take this online test multiple times throughout 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. The adaptive software adjusts the difficulty based on the student’s answers, measuring reading, writing, listening, and speaking. To pass, students must earn an average score of “5,” indicating an “intermediate” level.
The Navajo Assessment: Unlike the Spanish version, students can only take the Navajo exam once during their senior year. Because of this limitation, Sanchez starts preparing students as early as kindergarten. The exam is a rigorous oral test consisting of four sections — an introduction, a topical presentation, a Q&A session, and a summary analysis — evaluated by three administrators.
The complexity of the Navajo exam is reflected in recent data. While Spanish seal earners have increased steadily — from two in 2023 to six in 2025 — Navajo numbers have fluctuated. Notably, no students earned a Navajo seal in 2024, though four have already earned theirs in the current spring semester.
Once again, the Navajo language test is a bit more complicated.
To improve these outcomes, Sanchez is seeking a clear rubric from the Navajo Nation so teachers and students understand the specific requirements.
After listening to Sanchez’s presentation, school board members suggested different approaches that could possibly improve the Navajo test.
Board President Kevin Mitchell suggested asking the Navajo Nation to allow multiple test attempts. Currently, many students take their Navajo coursework early in high school, making it difficult to recall specific information during a single senior-year exam. Sanchez confirmed that discussions regarding more frequent testing are ongoing.
Additionally, Mitchell proposed researching the possibility of the district creating and administering its own seal.
Meanwhile, Vice President Priscilla Benally asked if the district was looking into a potential Zuni language seal. Sanchez said that was a fairly new concept, and it is being looked into.
GMCS Board Secretary Georgianna Desiderio asked if the school board could meet with the Navajo Nation to discuss the Navajo assessment further. Interim Superintendent Jvanna Hanks II said that was something she could arrange.
In closing, Desiderio reminded the audience of the high stakes involved.
“We can’t lose our language,” she said. “So I encourage you to speak to your children in Navajo to continue our legacy as a people.”
