Preliminary Study for Experimental Research on Culturally Based Education for American Indian/Alaska Native Students

This preliminary study, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences, includes five related tasks leading to the design and conduct of experimental research on the effects of Native language and culture on the academic achievement of Native students:

• Task 1: Conduct a critical review of the literature
• Task 2: Assess feasibility (PDF, 92pp., 460K)
• Task 3: Design experimental research (PDF, 28pp., 189K)
• Task 4: Convene a research symposium (PDF, 14pp., 99K)
  • Briefing on Preliminary Study of Culturally Based Education for American Indian/Alaska Native Students (16 powerpoint slides)
  • Improving Academic Performance Among Native American Students: A Review and Analysis of the Research Literature from William Demmert, Ed.D., Professor of Education, Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington (24 powerpoint slides)
• Task 5: Hold public briefings

The NWREL study team consists of nationally recognized researchers with extensive experience in designing and conducting experimental studies as well as expertise in Indian education. Many of these researchers are themselves Native Americans and have professional and personal knowledge of issues concerning language and culture in the education of Native American students. The core staff consists of:

• Dr. Kim Yap (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory)
• Dr. Jim Kushman (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory)
• Dr. William G. Demmert, Jr. (Western Washington University)
• Dr. David Beaulieu (Arizona State University)
• Dr. Roland Tharp (University of California at Santa Cruz)

In addition to the prominent researchers, NWREL is carrying out this research in collaboration with the National Indian School Board Association, the National Indian Education Association, and Haskell Indian Nations University.

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