Life on the Other Side: Alaska Native Teacher Education Students and the University of Alaska Fairbanks

The thesis identifies factors that have contributed to the academic success of Alaska Native teacher education students who graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) between 1989 and 1993. It contains a brief history of schooling for Alaska Native peoples; a description of the programs...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Author Barnhardt, Carol
Format Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Published 01.10.1994
Subjects
Academic Persistence
Alaska Natives
American Indian Education
College Graduates
College Preparation
College Students
Cultural Pluralism
Educational History
Elementary Secondary Education
Ethnography
Higher Education
School Holding Power
Student Attitudes
Student Characteristics
Student Experience
Student Support Services
Success
Teacher Education
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:The thesis identifies factors that have contributed to the academic success of Alaska Native teacher education students who graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) between 1989 and 1993. It contains a brief history of schooling for Alaska Native peoples; a description of the programs, student services, and academic coursework at UAF designed to respond to the interests and needs of Alaska Native students; and a review and analysis of the experiences of 50 Alaska Native teacher education graduates based on data obtained through interviews, review of student records, and participant observation. Five factors were identified as contributing to students' academic success: (1) a teaching and learning environment responsive to the interests and needs of culturally diverse students; (2) student support services respectful of the interests and needs of culturally diverse students; (3) strong family and community support; (4) supportive prior school and life experiences; and (5) exceptional individual efforts. The data indicate that accommodation and adaptations by both the students and the institution were essential to student success. Appendices describe 27 programs and services that address Alaska Native peoples and issues at UAF, and list Alaska Native and rural undergraduate courses at UAF, student database variables, and interview themes. Contains 259 references. (Author/KS)