The education of American Indians and Alaska Natives has increasingly become more complex given the differences in tribal languages and cultures, especially as changing demographics and issues of Indian identity are considered. There are over 200 languages and vast cultural differences between and within the 565 federally recognized tribes in…

This paper examines the graduation/dropout crisis among American Indian and Alaska Native students using data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Data from 2005 is drawn from the seven states with the highest percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students as well as five states in the Pacific and Northwestern regions of…

Presents some raw data from a 1987-88 national survey of 57 American Indian educators. Tabulates responses concerning educator perceptions of important current problems facing American Indian education, improvement/worsening of American Indian education, and the extent of current meaningful research. (SV)

This paper provides results of a national survey of 110 educators involved in American Indian education on their general attitudes toward such education; of the total sample; 60 responses were received. Lack of funding for American Indian education was the most important national issue identified, followed by need for qualified Indian…

Supported by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Family and Child Education (FACE) provides home-based or center-based early childhood education to children ages 0-5 years, teaches parents about child development and the promotion of active learning in their children, and addresses parents' own educational needs. In 1994-95, 22 culturally specific FACE…

In addition to presenting a brief picture of the public school administrator on an Indian reservation, this digest identifies some issues and problems, suggests ways for administrators to deal with those problems, and provides possible resources which can be of assistance. After citing public school enrollment at 176,000 Indian students attending…

The relationship between teachers and American Indian students influences how well the students learn. Teacher attitudes, values, and competencies are shaped from training experience. To develop positive attitudes, teachers need specialized training, strong incentives, improved administrative support, and understanding of relationships between…

Anticipated budget cuts will challenge Indian educators to maintain and improve educational quality with less funding. Academic standards, staffing, inservice and preservice training and the possible consolidation or elimination of supplemental programs are items of concern. (CM)

The nature and problems of American Indian education are quite complex. Factors defining the context of this complexity include differences between schools and standard teaching methods and traditional Indian education; the special federal-Indian relationship; and the small numbers but great cultural diversity of American Indians. A historical…

Reviews the recent growth of Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools and enrollments, the increased tribal control over BIA education, the success of BIA school reform efforts and of tribal colleges, and major facilities problems due to inadequate funding. Suggests that enthusiasm for school improvement is endangered by a political environment that…

What references, if any, do some of the major educational reform reports make about the American Indian? Reform reports were reviewed to determine their content regarding minorities in general and American Indians in particular. With the exception of the Carnegie Forum report and possibly the National Governors' Association report, very little was…

This chapter discusses the history and nature of Indian control of Indian education since the 1960s and its implications for the future. Local or tribal control of education is a basic principle inherent in the sovereignty status of American Indian tribes, and is also essential to reclaim and strengthen Native languages and cultures that were long…

American Indian and non-Indian junior high school students were asked to rank order leadership characteristics. Findings of the study indicate that leadership perceptions of both Indian and non-Indian students were very similar. The reasons for the similarity may be related to socialization, acculturation, cognitive development of students, or…

This digest focuses on academic testing and American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students. Ideally, test results should be used to improve student learning. Proponents of high-stakes testing say it is needed to measure student achievement and school quality and to hold students and teachers accountable. High-stakes testing is also used to…

Aspects discussed include federal responsibility in Indian education, the need for federal leadership and coordination, and the need for in service and preservice training. (Author/DLS)