College Achievement among Native Americans: A Research Note

Abstract

Since 1960 there has been a rapid increase in the number of Native Americans attending college; but the rate of completion has been less than half that of whites. The research reported in this note begins an inquiry into the reasons for the lower rate of college success, indexed by GPA, among Native Americans than among their counterpart whites.Although empirical studies of college success among Native Americans are few, there has been some speculation (and a little empirical work) on their performance in the lower grades. In common with other racial and ethnic groups, low family SES, school quality, educational aspirations, and the racial mixture of primary and secondary schools attended have been related to educational success. But most measures of school quality have been found unimportant; and family SES has not been so effective a predictor at the college level as for the earlier years of schooling.In contrast to other racial or ethnic groups, however, the literature on Native American educational attainment has stressed cultural factors most heavily. The present research attempts to empirically test for the importance of these cultural factors, along with other aspects related to the general concept of assimilation/acculturation among Native Americans. SampleThe sample consisted of 253 individuals, of whom 102 were Native Americans and 151 whites, attending universities in the state of Oklahoma in 1978.1 The white sample was obtained by distributing the questionnaire in six social science classes at two universities. In order to obtain an adequate *Data analysis was partially funded through a research grant from California Polytechnic State University (# 2623.31). I would like to thank Sara Pawlan, Robert Quan, and especially Walter Lamar for their help and comments. Also I would like to thank Marcia Dunklau, Diane Goldman, and Patricia Tupac-Yupanqui for their typing and editorial comments.

Academic Persistence Among Native American College Students

“…Previous research has identified confidence and several related self-perception and motivation variables as possible predictors of academic persistence (Brown & Kurpius, 1997;Kerbo, 1981;McInerney & Swisher, 1995;Rindone, 1988). Our findings offer general support for the idea that confidence and self-efficacy, based in experiences that lead to more independent and assertive attitudes, are related to academic persistence.…”

“…Other studies have suggested that better preparation with study skills and career development will lead to greater persistence (Sakiestewa, 1996;West, 1988) Personal Factors Brown and Kurpius' (1997) showed a significant relationship between Native American students' academic aspirations and persistence in college. Kerbo's (1981) data suggest that Native American students' confidence in their ability to succeed is of greatest importance. McInerney and Swisher (1995) noted that perceptions of confidence and competence were key aspects of Native Americans' motivation for academic achievement.…”

Training "In a Good Way": Evaluating the Effect of a Culturally Responsive Pre-training Intervention on Learning and Motivation

“…The authors argued that this was the case because Native students did not believe the relationship between school and work was true for them. This might also help to explain an early study by Kerbo (1980) that found identification with Whites and integration with Whites (i.e., number of White friends) predicted Native success in college. It is possible that Native students face additional barriers to education in that their self-concept excludes them from academic success.…”

Secondary Transition of Multicultural Learners: Lessons From the Navajo Native American Experience

“…homogeneity. An alternative hypothesis is that students who have identified with European American culture are more confident in their ability to thrive in that culture and that perhaps the issue is really cross-cultural self-efficacy rather than identification with European American culture (Kerbo, 1981). Some preliminary research is showing that identification with and pride in one's own culture may contribute to making effective transitions (Lamborn, et al, 1996).…”