Aboriginal Students’ Perspectives on Factors influencing High School Completion

IFCW presentationOctober, 2011

byDr. Marion MacIver

Why select this research topic?What research and experience tells us

Quantitative research, data and focusDiscrepancy between Aboriginal and non-

Aboriginal dataHow does this relate to my own professional

perspective?Does providing learners with relationships,

activity, and normalcy lead to success?

The StudyPurpose

To examine how lived experiences as perceived by Aboriginal middle level students contributed to their continued school engagement

ParticipantsAboriginal adolescents (10) who have

previously discontinued from attending school, but are presently engaged in learning in a classroom environment

The Study Setting

• A Canadian residential treatment center

The StudyProcedure and analysis

Conversational interviews focused on: Barriers to continuing in school Influential sources Ideal educator traits Cultural heritage as an influence

Emerging themesPeer pressure

Emerging themesCultural influence and racism

Emerging themesSchool day (routines, workload, curricula)

Emerging themesActivities

Emerging themesGoal setting

Emerging themesRelationships

Teachers making school an enjoyable experience

Teachers who build rapport with students

The ResultsTeacher and principal ethnicity was not

identified as a significantly influential source

Study Implications The study results imply the need for:

Schools to develop culturally affirming learning environments profiling Aboriginal cultural values, curricula, and activities

Study Implications Students’ workload structured to

accommodate individualized learning capabilities and aptitudes

Study Implications Teachers to build ongoing relationships with

students

Study Implications Teachers to be humorous, fun loving, and

listen to studentsPrincipals to build rapport with students

Study Implications The study supports:

Being taught in a culturally affirming environment motivates school engagement

Study Implications The importance of students actively

participating in school activities

Study Implications Aboriginal students perceive their teachers

as the most important influence toward their educational success

Study ImplicationsTeachers need to ...

Provide supportEnsure homework is completeNot give hard workMake learning motivatingAssign work matching

student success levels

Study Implications Is shared ethnicity important?

Being taught by Aboriginal teachers and/or Aboriginal principals perceived as only moderately influential

Recommendations for actionAboriginal content to be integrated

throughout all school curricula and extra-curricular activities

All educators to increase their knowledge base regarding Aboriginal students’ needs

Academic learning must be individualized Goal setting and career planning needs to be

provided at the middle and high school levels

What was learned …Teachers hold considerable power in

influencing Aboriginal students’ sense of belonging in school

It is critical that educators understand the unique perspectives and learning needs of their Aboriginal learners

Greater numbers of Aboriginal students completing high school will become a reality when learning is presented through the Aboriginal lens and with teachers meeting all students’ needs equally.

Building bridges through relationships ....