Better Data for Supporting American Indian/Alaska Native Students. WICHE Insights

The effective use of data plays a critical role throughout the policy process -- from accurately capturing populations being served to monitoring and measuring implementation and allocation of resources. In order for data to be used in a manner that supports evidence-based decision-making there is a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWestern Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Main Authors Falkenstern, Colleen, Rochat, Angie
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education 01.02.2021
Subjects
Alaska Natives
American Indian Students
Barriers
Data Collection
Data Use
Disproportionate Representation
Educational Policy
Enrollment Trends
Ethnicity
Higher Education
Minority Group Students
Race
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Summary:The effective use of data plays a critical role throughout the policy process -- from accurately capturing populations being served to monitoring and measuring implementation and allocation of resources. In order for data to be used in a manner that supports evidence-based decision-making there is a need for education leaders and policymakers to be equipped with comprehensive and accurate data. This is particularly true for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations and students who have historically been undercounted or underrepresented across data sources and systems. This gap in comprehensive and quality data related to AI/AN populations means that education leaders are not equipped with the tools necessary to develop and implement policies or have the resources necessary that will lead to transformational educational outcomes for Native students. This brief begins by highlighting broad issues that arise in data collection efforts on a national scale, followed by a more detailed discussion of persistent data challenges that occur in capturing AI/AN student populations within postsecondary data systems and the implications of these challenges as they relate to higher education policy and practice.