Is bigotry the cause?

Who controls reservation schools?

Can it be changed?

Aren’t there bigger problems to be concerned with?

Danny Bolton

ED 503

HistoryPopulationMajor differentiating characteristics Special needsAppropriate treatmentDifferences from typical gifted studentsConclusion

“The Only Good Indian is a Dead Indian”

General Philip Sheridan

The Indian problemMissionariesEarly Indian schoolsCultural genocideKill the Indian….Save the Man

Carlisle Industrial School

Reservation schools Bureau of Indian AffairsContract SchoolsReservation land not taxedSchools ran by individual tribes67% - not on a reservationMost live west of the Mississippi River90% of natives attend public schools

2000 Census: 2,447,989Population Doubled between 1970-2000

Acquired Skills: Problem solving Commitment to task Scientific ability English Language

Tribal and Cultural Understanding

Knowledge of history and traditions

Respect for eldersTribal languageCompetenceStorytelling ability

Aesthetic Abilities: Visual art talentPerforming art talentCreative expressionNative art(s) talent

•Human Personal Qualities: • High intelligence• Visionary, inquisitive and intuitive• Creative and individualistic • Self-disciplined• Leadership and athletic prowess• Coordination and dexterity• Sense of humor

•Characteristics derived from a survey of 266 Native American educators across the United States. (1985)

No other ethnic group has been so consistently underrepresented in gifted education programs

Timed tests are biased against Native Americans

Individual performance conflicts with values

Exhibit diplomacy, quiet individualism, andself-effacing behavior

25% begin school speaking little or no English

Culture conflicts with characteristics of giftedness

Prejudice is a continuing problem

Dropout rate is high

Need group design activities

Teacher awareness of cultural heritage

School culture and home culture may conflict

Parental involvement

Address overt prejudices: Columbus Day Coercion to dissect animals Cut hair for sporting activities

Address subtle prejudices: Cultural biased tests Students classified as only black or white

Teaching Strategies

Remedy prejudice:

Indian heritage days, and weeks Non-biased achievement tests

Indian workshops for teachers

Realistic Indian history books

Teaching Strategies

Address high dropout rate Bad experiences with American

Education Anglo curriculum opposed to Indian

curriculum

Indian parents on school boards Prevalent use of drugs and alcohol

Teaching Strategies

Reservation schoolsMost underrepresented minorityBias against Native AmericansIndividual performance conflicts with

values25% begin school speaking little or no

EnglishTribal and cultural understanding

HistoryPopulationMajor differentiating characteristicsSpecial needsAppropriate treatment/differences