APPENDIX D

Aniak

What needs to be done to improve the quality of education of Alaska Native children who live in villages?

• More funding.
  
• Think of the student out here first before worrying about student in the rural communities; because it seems that everybody is more worried about rural students rather than bush students so bush students get the lower end of the stick.
  
• We need more people or teachers to teach the student about living ways and job.
  
• We don't need mean teachers.
  
• Make going to school fun; have good teachers; have exciting subjects; to me, it's all good.
  
• Role models, success stories and how they were achieved, and opportunities that are currently available.
  
• No response.

Anchorage

What needs to be done to improve the quality of education of Alaska Native children who live in this area?

• Publicizing a can-do attitude that shows Native homes they make the difference; more follow through facilitating the support systems that are in place that teach greater awareness of self and community; clarifying as a community the difference in making choices or placing blame; when people's choices don't work, they need to consider why as a tool for furthering their education so they can refine and advance.
  
• Teach urban children of the many ways of life lived in rural Alaska; teach all children respect whether rural or urban; have the urban child walk in the shoes of a Native Alaskan for a few weeks; all children have a basic need to be valued; make it positive; listen to what children have to say; their points are just as valid as ours, they have feelings as well; give them goals with real life results/consequences;know their limitations; take an interest in knowing their friends and likes as well as dislikes.
  
• More Head Start Programs - pre-school available for all Native kids regardless of income; smaller kindergarten classes; small (1-3) classes to make sure they have a good foundation; summer reading/math/activity program so kids don't lose what they have learned during the school year; incorporate cultural activities so acknowledge/recognize/value who they are as Alaskan Native children; after school programs to provide tutoring if needed, with fun activities; some snowboarding, swimming like other kids; sponsor music for them if they want to participate.
  
• Show an open door policy with school; take the first step in showing and helping that the school staff is willing to help these kids and parents to have that child succeed; if new to area, assist and set up home visits to get to know families; encourage parent involvement and Native pride so to speak; William Tyson has a wonderful attitude and shows many cultures and teaches pride and that makes parents more willing to help and make sure children stay focused with school.
  
• Resource center (library), more counselors, non-discriminatory class schedule; less segregation as far as special classes/study group, i.e., EWE, summer program.

Business

What needs to be done to improve the quality of education of Alaska Native children? (Please star the most important)

• *Get parents to buy in; educate Natives to be the teachers; screen new-Native teachers to prevent important mentors from looking down their noses; offer students the chance to visit off-site schools; state to pay for all college courses under the 101 level; educate parents;calm community fears of unknown.
  
• *Strong teacher base - local and long term; curriculum back to basics with emphasis on math and English; availability of college prep math and science.
  
• *Identify, understand and deal with fetal alcohol effects/syndrome and how it challenges the classroom - students, teachers; financial resources; demand a higher standard of performance; decrease teacher turnover in rural schools; increase Native teacher role models; include more interaction with positive Alaska Native role models; increase family interaction.
  
• *Get teachers that care about children learning; equal funding; quality of life in schools - improve buildings, etc.; get families engaged; get teachers not only there for a paycheck; make sure students are learning; make learning affordable; make Alaska history a requirement in all schools.
  
• *Invite school counselors to meet with employers and describe future needs; funding - equity for rural areas; teacher quality; to meet needs of employers - more work with teachers and parents meeting with major Alaska employers; art, math, science - expanded areas in education to encourage creative thinking and expanded goals for children; encouragement by communities to see a future in Alaska.
  
• *High expectations of student and teacher performance; individual attention - smaller classes in rural areas; continuous encouragement and support for school, all educational endeavors.
  
• *Education is synonymous with self-sufficiency; train multi-disciplinary personnel; target people to serve time; demonstrate/show other ways of life (field visit); change the view of a teacher by giving status; critical mass of Native pro's; incorporate the written history in classroom.
  
• *Emphasis on education and training directed towards Native children from birth; cultural sensitivity and understanding by the teachers; educating the parents on the necessity of a career or education; special "Career Training Centers" for Alaska Native students located in a central area with boarding facilities.
  
• *Parent involvement and support (urban and rural); possibly regional schools; reduce teacher turnover; include Alaska history and Native culture; rural-urban exchange programs.

Return to the Issues in Alaska Native Education: Focus Group Research

Return to the McDowell Final Report

Return to Alaska Native Knowledge Network