Journal of American Indian Education-Arizona State University

Volume 28 1988 Contents

Issue 1 October 1988
- ACHIEVEMENT MOTIVATION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS
  Pauline Rindone [pp. 1-8]
  A questionnaire was mailed to 200 randomly selected Navajos who had attained at least a four year college degree; 107 questionnaires were returned. The questionnaire consisted of questions relating to family characteristics, educational background, socioeconomic status, language information and demographic data. The results indicate that most of the respondents had parents who were born on the reservation, spoke primarily Navajo, considered their families to be mainly traditional, and had income levels ranging from $1,000 - $10,000. Their own motivation and encouragement from family were given as the most important factors contributing to their high educational attainment. *
- LEADERSHIP AND AMERICAN INDIAN VALUES: THE TRIBAL COLLEGE DILEMMA
  Elgin Badwound; William Tierney [pp. 9-15]
  This article demonstrates the need for research in organizational governance and decision making which takes into account the values of American Indian culture. The predominant model of organizational governance and decision making in higher education (rational) is analyzed within the context of tribally-controlled community colleges. The assumptions upon which the rational model is based conflict with the values that underlie the tribal college mission. We argue that the model provides an inadequate framework for predicting behavior in tribal colleges. As a result, an alternative organizational framework is proposed, and further avenues for investigation are discussed.
- THE IMPLICATION OF STRING FIGURES FOR AMERICAN INDIAN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION
  Charles G. Moore [pp. 16-26]
  The objective of the study is to investigate the hypothesis: "The members of preliterate tribes were capable of mathematical thought and through the invention and mastery of string figures their mathematical capabilities found an avenue of expression." The basis of the interrelation between string figures and mathematics is based upon the definition of mathematics by Courant and Robbins which asserts that mathematical thought is characterized by three elements: logic and intuition, analysis and construction, and generality and individuality. The invention and construction of string figures are shown to possess all of these elements of mathematical thought.
- THE CIRCLE OF LEARNING AT KICKAPOO
  Victor L. Dupuis; Margery W. Walker [pp. 27-33]
  The Kickapoo Nation School in Powhatten, Kansas currently operates a Title IV open education curriculum in grades seven to twelve. The project emphasizes a Circle of Learning philosophy adapted from the Indian Circle of Life and stresses a humanistic learning environment for improvement of basic life skills and cultural enrichment. All students have I.E.P.'s and follow an individualized mastery learning model. Active community involvement is an integral part of the total program. Initial student progress, measured by the California Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) and the Diagnostic Achievement Battery (DAB), show gains being made in reading, writing and mathematics.
- A SURVEY: ATTITUDES TOWARD THE EDUCATION OF AMERICAN INDIANS
  John W. Tippeconnic III [pp. 34-36]
  Presents some raw data from a 1987-88 national survey of 57 American Indian educators. Tabulates responses concerning educator perceptions of important current problems facing American Indian education, improvement/worsening of American Indian education, and the extent of current meaningful research.
Issue 2 January 1989
- COMPOSING PROCESSES OF NATIVE AMERICANS: SIX CASE STUDIES OF NAVAJO SPEAKERS
  George Ann Gregory [pp. 1-6]
  Focus, until recently, in the teaching of writing to Native Americans has been entirely on product. This study takes a preliminary look at the composing processes of six Native American students.
- CULTURAL CONGRUENCE, ETHNICITY AND FUSED BICULTURALISM: ZUNI AND TORRES STRAIT
  Barry Osborne [pp. 7-20]
  The article analyzes rural schools with Native American students to determine if a minority-controlled educational institution can be academically effective, and if a bicultural academic program can be effective within a desegregated school environment. The article discusses (1) theoretical considerations of segregated and desegregated education, (2) theoretical considerations of current Native American Education, (3) methods, demographics and program of the case study, (4) human inputs affecting the program, (5) educational quality and academic effectiveness, and (6) "Success and Constraint: Why Does The System Work So Well?" According to the author, most of the "theoretical arguments over segregation and desegregation and cultural isolation are considered as dichotomous absolutes--juxtaposed ideal types. In these analyses segregated education is conceptualized (1) on white standards and ideology, and (2) on political relations of power. Thus, concerns about politics and culture override considerations of educational effectiveness and ignore attributes of the minority culture."
- SOURCES AND MANIFESTATION OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AS REPORTED BY FULL-TIME TEACHERS WORKING IN A BIA SCHOOL
  Booney Vance; Susan Miller; Sam Humphreys; Francine Reynolds [pp. 21-31]
  This study is an investigation of occupational stress as measured by the Teacher Stress Inventory (Fimian, 1988) of 30 teachers working in a Bureau of Indian Affairs school. The sample consisted of 22 females, 6 males (two respondents did not indicate their sex) of which 19 were white, 10 Native American and one Hispanic. The findings indicated that the major source of stress for these teachers was in managing his/her job. There were no significant differences found between the males versus females in relation to stressors nor between the Native Americans and white sample. Recommendations centered on the inclusion of the TSI in a variety of settings and practical suggestions for handling stress.
- EFFECT OF OTITIS MEDIA UPON READING SCORES OF INDIAN CHILDREN IN ONTARIO
  William A. Scaldwell [pp. 32-39]
  Children in both isolated northern reserve schools and southern Ontario reserve schools were given the Gates-MacGinite Reading Tests, and examined for signs of otitis media (middle ear infection) using an impedence bridge or tympanometer. Children with otitis media or signs of past infection scored consistently lower in reading than those with normal middle ears. Early screening for OM, and a modified school programme are deemed to be vital, especially in the Indian population where otitis media appears as a very widespread health problem.
Issue 3 May 1989
- THE NEED FOR TEXTBOOK REFORM: AN AMERICAN INDIAN EXAMPLE
  James P. Charles [pp. 1-13]
  Examines form and content of American Indian authored selections in South Carolina's high school literature anthologies. Results show only 36 percent are contemporary. The sample of traditional genres lacks balanced representation and does not reflect regional distribution of American Indians. Development of evaluative criteria specific to American Indian literature is needed.
- A TEST OF THE ABILITY OF NATIVE AMERICAN SEVENTH-GRADE STUDENTS TO LEARN AND APPLY A FOUR-STEP DECISION MAKING PROCESS
  Jebose O. Okwumabua; Elias J. Duryea [pp. 14-23]
  Investigates the relationship between decision-making skill and health-promoting behavior among American Indian youth. Findings indicate subjects trained with role playing and question and answer discussions demonstrated knowledge of the decision-making process significantly superior to untrained controls. Concludes that drug prevention education should include parents and older adults.
- SMALL LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS DECREASE ALASKA NATIVE DROP-OUT RATES
  Judith Kleinfeld; G. Williamson McDiarmid; David Hagstrom [pp. 24-30]
  National dropout statistics indicate that American Indian and Alaska Native students have higher dropout rates than any other ethnic minority. During the boarding school era, dropout rates of Indian and Eskimo students in Alaska were extremely high. When small local high schools replaced Alaska's boarding school system, dropout rates decreased dramatically, to about half the national average. These village high schools share many characteristics of alternative schools which decrease dropouts among at-risk students: small size, a community atmosphere, and individualized academic work tailored to students' backgrounds. In rural Alaska, high school graduation has become the norm; a change which will have substantial effects on the education of the next generation.
- LEARNING DISABLED ADULTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR TRIBAL COLLEGES
  John M. Dodd; J. Ron Nelson [pp. 31-38]
  Many American Indian children are classified as learning disabled. Learning disabilities continue into adulthood, and many persons with learning disabilities participate in post-secondary education. Problems encountered by learning disabled college students are identified and needed services are suggested. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits discrimination against persons with handicaps. Since learning disabilities are not readily discernible there is a need for faculty education. Faculty in Tribal colleges can provide services to make higher education accessible to learning disabled American Indian students.

^* Page numbers refer to location in the original published version of the article.