The Importance of Cultural Education

Cultural Education (4.00 / 1)

In today's society, the push for education among Native American students is becoming harder due to family dysfunctions, alcoholism, drug use, teenage pregnancy, and high drop out rates.  Yet, this seems to affect some, there are success stories in which some Native American students have accomplished their education and have returned to their reservations in hopes of making a difference.  Only to find that resources for educating the Native American students is becoming less and less.  The funds from the state and government to assist are being cut, not only for Native American students but ALL students.
Native American teachers who return are finding it difficult to compete with other school districts (Non-native population is much higher so expenditure per pupil is much higher) in terms of renovated buildings, classroom supplies, updated textbooks, and higher pay for teachers/staff. Although sports keep these Native American students in school, their grades are maintained only for that sport season.  Its amazing to see what these Native American families prioritize: sports over education.  But, yet, we don't see many Native American athletes heading off to local colleges/universities.  
There are many Native American teachers from all tribes coming back to reservation to teach yet there are no jobs to be found.  If there is a job, the overcrowdness of classrooms, lack of pay, absenteeism, are obstacles to overcome.  
The inability of tribal law to assist the schools in absenteeism, truacy, gangs, and drugs. Although these problems are seen in all towns and cities, the Native American students are easily drawn to gangs and drugs.  The remote areas of the reservation is seen as a drop off place for drug smugglers...distributing their drugs faster and quicker in the remote areas where law enforcement officials cannot bother them.
The days of the boarding schools are over and yet, many Native American students still use that experience as an excuse.  I feel that the biggest issues of not attending or furthering their education is the label.  The Native American who lives on the "reservation."  The "rez" as it is called today reflects the low scores on achievement test and college exams.  It is made public through the media and each school takes on a label.  Despite that label, majority of the parents continue to send their child to school.  Again, the low scores on achievement test are written by Non-Native people.  Another obstacle to overcome, teaching to state standards, reading and writing in English, etc.  Reading stories about the the use of a boats.  Does the Native American student know that the purpose of a boat is to be placed in a lake?  Many Native American students only see boats being pulled behind a vehicle on the road.  These state achievement test isn't written for Native American students and perhaps, other ethnic groups...yet, they are required to take the test due to the No Child Left Behind Act.  

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by: Western Navajo Agency @ Mon Apr 11, 2011 at 17:37:04 PM UTC