EVALUATING ALASKA SCHOOLS

Several survey questions were asked to gather opinions on the quality of, satisfaction with, and benefits to Alaska Natives from the Alaska educational system.

Preparation of Alaska Native Students

A large proportion of Alaska Natives lack confidence that Alaska schools adequately prepare Alaska Native students for high school, the workplace, and college.

Less than 10 percent of respondents said that Alaska schools prepared Alaska Native students "very well" for high school, college, or the workplace. Confidence was particularly low in college preparation: 43 percent answered "not well" or "not at all well." Urban respondents were less likely than rural respondents to feel that schools prepared Alaska Native students adequately.

Quality of Local Teachers

Satisfaction with the quality of schoolteachers among Alaska Natives is on the positive side, although there appears to be room for improvement.

While many noted satisfaction with the quality of their local teachers, one out of four respondents were either unsatisfied or very unsatisfied. It is interesting to note that the respondents appear to be more satisfied with the quality of teachers than they are with how well students are prepared for high school, college, and the workplace. Teachers are central to that preparation; however, it appears respondents feel there are other factors involved in the preparation. This is a common response in research where the people within a system receive a higher rating than the system itself. Teacher quality is rated lowest by those respondents who lack confidence in the system and those who do not feel welcome in the schools.

Satisfaction with the Quality of Schoolteachers
Alaska Native Education Survey

Feeling Welcome in Local Schools

While Alaska Natives see weaknesses in many aspects of the state's education system, respondents with school age children overwhelmingly report feeling welcome in their children's schools, with 85 percent feeling "welcome "or "very welcome."

How welcome or unwelcome do you feel in your children's schools?
Base: those with school-aged children in household
Alaska Native Education Survey

Desired Education Benefits for the Younger Generation

The number one benefit that Alaska Natives hope their children will gain from classroom education is "skills to compete in today's world." Alaska Natives also wanted similar results from their own education.

Aspirations for what Alaska Natives want for their children from the Alaska school system center on skills for success in today ' s world and include skills to compete and to be employable, and have competent preparation for college success. Alaska Native adults also want their children to have personal fulfillment and self-respect resulting from their education.

Confidence in the System

A significant portion of the respondents were not confident that Alaska's education system could provide the desired benefits listed above (such as skills to compete in today's world, prepare for college, etc.) for their children.

While just over one half felt confident or very confident, others were not confident or were at least uncertain. These results mirror a similar finding about the system's ability to adequately prepare Alaska Native students.

Return to the Alaska Native Household Education Survey

Return to the McDowell Final Report

Return to Alaska Native Knowledge Network