EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Alaska Natives face many challenges in educational performance, attainment, and opportunities. Policy makers and Alaska Natives have struggled to improve the educational system, sometimes with limited success. An understanding of what issues lie behind these struggles - and successes - is essential. In an effort to gain this understanding, McDowell Group Inc. , was asked by the First Alaskans Foundation, a nonprofit organization created by the Alaska Federation of Natives, to conduct several executive interviews with experts on Alaska Native education. The executive interviews are one component of a larger study of Native education that McDowell Group is conducting for the Foundation. The purpose of these executive interviews is to provide further insight into issues and methods that can enhance educational programs for Alaska Natives.

Based on interviewees' comments, McDowell Group offers the following summary of key issues.

Language development and Native culture in the classroom are essential.

Many informants viewed the greatest barrier to successful educational performance of Alaska Native students as the lack of balance between the "Western" approach to education and the need for Alaska Natives to participate in their culture. Informants believed when a school incorporates Native language or Native culture into the curriculum, students perform better. According to the comments made by those interviewed, the integration of Native culture and language in the school curriculum appears to be most critical at the pre-school and elementary school level. Language development - including both Native and English language skills, as well as reading and writing -- is also imperative at the lower grade levels.

Students will perform better if they understand the relationship between being in school and their future.

Several informants pointed out that during the high school years, students start to question the value of their education and what role education has in their future. Most of the interviewees suggested students need to have a better understanding of what career options are the most practical if they want to work in their local community. High school students need to be adequately prepared to make career and education choices, and recognize the performance expectations from post-secondary education and work environments.

The roles of parents and community are vital.

All informants commented that good parenting skills and community involvement are important at all levels of education - from pre-school to post-secondary. The school districts viewed most successful by those interviewed incorporated larger commitments of parental and community involvement. Informants agreed parents need to make sure students are well-fed, well-rested, and attend school regularly. They should work closely with teachers to make sure there is consistency and clear communication of expectations regarding the child's educational performance. Those interviewed also viewed the community's role as imperative, if schools are to become or stay committed to Alaska Native language and cultural curriculum development. The community should encourage children to stay in school. Experts concurred that when the student decides to pursue a post-secondary education, the community should play a considerable role in welcoming back that student and taking pride in their educational accomplishment.

Experts see an important role for the First Alaskans Foundation.

Informants thought that an appropriate role for First Alaskans Foundation centers around being the lead advocate for education policy that will improve Alaska Native benefits from the Alaska system. This role also includes a dialogue with communities about what effective education can do for their people. Other suggestions include funding training for local school boards, recommending programs for teacher preparation for service in rural areas, and building relationships with other foundations.

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