McDowell Report Final Nov. 2001

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

BARRIERS TO EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS

Respondents were asked several questions exploring educational barriers. The survey asked about the perception of the fairness of the system, treatment of Alaska Natives, and what they think is keeping Alaska Natives from finishing high school. It is critical to address these barriers for the long-run improvement of Alaska Native education.

Fairness and Equality Issues

A significant portion of Alaska Natives question the fairness of the system and believe that they do not get educational opportunities equal to those given other Alaskans.
Over four in ten Alaska Natives felt the Alaska educational system favors non-Native students. Households with and without children held similar views. The inequality is felt more strongly by Alaska Natives living in urban areas (50 percent) and 35-54 year-olds (47 percent). Other data in this report also verifies the perception of prejudice is stronger in urban Alaska where Native students are more likely to be in the minority.

In your opinion, which statement best describes the educational system in Alaska?
Alaska Native Education Survey

On a slight variation of the subject - educational opportunities rather than the Alaska education system - one half of those surveyed considered the educational opportunities offered Alaska Natives equal to those offered other Alaskans, while over one quarter (27 percent) disagreed. Only 15 percent believed Alaska Natives were offered better educational opportunities than other Alaskans.

In your opinion, do you think Alaska Natives get educational opportunities that are
worse, equal to, or better than those given to other Alaskans?
Alaska Native Education Survey

Reasons for Not Completing High School

The number one reason for Alaska Natives to drop out of high school, according to respondents, is "family doesn't encourage schooling."
The next most-common response for not completing high school was the abuse of alcohol and drugs.

When grouped according to subject (see second table below) , a number responses relate to personal situations that hinder Alaska Natives from staying in school (61 percent) . Personal reasons for dropping out included issues such as low self-esteem, lack of motivation, not wanting to leave home, pregnancy, peer pressure, and lack of discipline. Family issues (such as family responsibilities and violence/family problems) accounted for 38 percent of the reasons. A similar portion of responses (36 percent) were culturally-related such as traditional lifestyle, communication and teaching styles, and racial prejudice. Only 19 percent of the responses are academic-related.

Other survey results also support Alaska Native views on the importance of parental involvement. They place primary responsibility for educational success on parents and see parental involvement as an important solution for Native student success.

Why Alaska Natives Do Not Complete High School
Number One and Number Two Reasons Combined
Alaska Native Education Survey

% of respondents*

Family doesn't encourage schooling
30%

Alcohol/drugs
16

Lack of interest/motivation
14

Don't see benefit of education
12

Teachers don't understand Natives
8

Prejudice/discrimination
8

Schools do not encourage Native students
8

Family responsibilities
6

Have difficulty with classes/learning
5

Students not prepared in lower grades for high school
5

Classes aren't geared to Natives
5

Lack of self-esteem/confidence
5

Other
35

*Responses do not add up to 100%because most respondents gave more than one answer.

Why Alaska Natives Do Not Complete High School
Number One and Number Two Reasons Combined
(Responses grouped according to subject)
Alaska Native Education Survey

% of respondents*

Personal reasons

Alcohol/drugs, lack of motivation, don't see benefit of education, lack of self-esteem, must leave home to attend school, having to work, pregnancy, peer pressure, lack of discipline

61%

Family reasons

Family doesn't encourage school, family responsibilities, violence/family problems

38

Cultural reasons

Teachers don't understand Natives, prejudice/discrimination, schools don't encourage Natives, classes aren't geared to Natives, subsistence, interferes with traditional lifestyle

36

Academic reasons

Difficulty with classes/learning, students not prepared in lower grades, need access to better teachers, more tutors/counselors/mentors, lack of voc. ed. courses, low grades, poor attendance

19

*Responses do not add up to 100%because most respondents gave more than one answer.

Return to the Alaska Native Household Education Survey

Return to the McDowell Final Report

Return to Alaska Native Knowledge Network


	% of respondents*

Family doesn't encourage schooling	30%
Alcohol/drugs	16
Lack of interest/motivation	14
Don't see benefit of education	12
Teachers don't understand Natives	8
Prejudice/discrimination	8
Schools do not encourage Native students	8
Family responsibilities	6
Have difficulty with classes/learning	5
Students not prepared in lower grades for high school	5
Classes aren't geared to Natives	5
Lack of self-esteem/confidence	5
Other	35

*Responses do not add up to 100%because most respondents gave more than one answer.


	% of respondents*

Personal reasons Alcohol/drugs, lack of motivation, don't see benefit of education, lack of self-esteem, must leave home to attend school, having to work, pregnancy, peer pressure, lack of discipline	61%
Family reasons Family doesn't encourage school, family responsibilities, violence/family problems	38
Cultural reasons Teachers don't understand Natives, prejudice/discrimination, schools don't encourage Natives, classes aren't geared to Natives, subsistence, interferes with traditional lifestyle	36
Academic reasons Difficulty with classes/learning, students not prepared in lower grades, need access to better teachers, more tutors/counselors/mentors, lack of voc. ed. courses, low grades, poor attendance	19

*Responses do not add up to 100%because most respondents gave more than one answer.