IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF EDUCATION

Several survey questions were asked to explore Alaska Natives' views on the importance and value of education. This includes the importance of graduation, classroom versus traditional learning, the teaching of Alaska Native culture and language, and personal educational goals.

Importance of Graduation

Graduation - from high school, college and vocational/technical school - is seen as highly important by Alaska Natives.

Virtually all Alaska Natives (99 percent) believe graduating from high school is very important or important. Graduation from college is also seen as important, but somewhat less so. Only a few respondents said they considered graduation from any of these institutions unimportant.

Classroom Education and Traditional Native Learning

Alaska Natives consider both traditional Native learning and classroom education as relevant to their lives. However, more Alaska Natives tend to rate their classroom education relevant on a day-to-day basis.

Twice as many respondents considered their classroom education more relevant to their daily life compared to those who considered their traditional Native education more relevant (40 percent vs. 20 percent). A significant portion (36 percent) considered both as relevant on a daily basis.

Alaska Natives acknowledge the importance of their educational background. An overwhelming majority of respondents (83 percent) state that classroom education has been "very important "or "important "in helping them meet their goals in life. Those with bachelor's or graduate degrees give even stronger ratings (87 percent and 97 percent, respectively).

Which is more relevant to your daily life:
classroom education or traditional learning outside the classroom?
Alaska Native Education Survey

How important has classroom education been in helping you meet your goals in life?
Alaska Native Education Survey

Alaska Native Culture and Language in Schools

Alaska Natives overwhelmingly feel Alaska Native culture and language should be taught in their schools.

The importance of Alaska Native language and culture in Alaska school curriculum is a consistent theme throughout this research. Alaska Natives say it is very important and that it is a leading solution to better performance. Dominant percentages of all cultural groups, generations, and both urban and rural Alaska Natives hold this view.

Over nine in ten respondents said it was important to teach Alaska Native cultures in school, while eight in ten said it was important to teach Native languages in school.

How important is it to teach Alaska Native cultures in Alaska schools?
Alaska Native Education Survey

How important is it to teach Alaska Native languages in Alaska schools?
Alaska Native Education Survey

Personal Goals for Classroom Education

Alaska Natives expect to gain from their Alaska education the skills to be competitive and employable. This is followed by the skills necessary for college success.

The single most important thing Alaska Natives had hoped to accomplish through their own classroom education experience was "skills to get a job" (18 percent). The next most popular response was "continue to college" (12 percent). Similar in subject to the number one response, 11 percent said "skills to compete in the world.". One-sixth of respondents (14 percent) cite reasons that involve self-esteem, personal development, or personal benefit. The remaining reasons are related to educational achievement and building job skills.

Other survey findings in this report indicate these goals may not always be met through the Alaska system. A significant proportion of Alaska Natives are not confident the system adequately prepares Native students for high school, college, or the workplace.

Highest Level of Education Desired

The majority of Alaska Natives would like a higher level of educational attainment.

While three out of ten are satisfied with their current level of education, most would like more. One of four would like to complete their high school diploma, get vocational certification, or an associate's degree. Four out of ten respondents would like to attend college and get a bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate, medical or law degree.

Return to the Alaska Native Household Education Survey

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