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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 ....
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