In a country known for its tech progress and education for all, one group is left behind. Native American students are this group. The U.S. has only 2.6% Indigenous people. Yet, these students face a big digital divide, making it hard for them to succeed in today‘s tech world.
What stops Native students from closing this tech gap? Why is it so important to fix this problem? We will dive into these questions and more. Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Key Takeaways
- Native students make up only 1% of the American public school population, yet they face disproportionate challenges in accessing technology and STEM education.
- The digital divide is a persistent barrier, with more than half of Native American students lacking access to the math and science classes needed for STEM careers.
- Systemic issues like underfunded Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools and a lack of culturally responsive digital learning solutions compound the problem.
- Addressing the tech gap for Native students requires a multifaceted approach that honors their unique cultural heritage and actively engages their communities.
- Organizations like Kyndryl are taking steps to increase Indigenous representation in STEM fields and support language revitalization efforts.
Understanding the Historical Context of Native American Education
To understand the challenges Native American students face, we must look at their education history. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the U.S. tried to “Americanize” Native kids. They did this through American Indian Boarding Schools. Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
The Impact of Boarding School Era
These schools, run by the government and churches, aimed to erase Native cultures. Kids were taken from their families and not allowed to speak their languages. They faced harsh discipline and were forced to assimilate.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
The 1928 Merriam Report showed the harm these policies caused. It talked about the physical, mental, and emotional damage to Native students.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Treaty Obligations and Federal Responsibilities
Even after the boarding school era, the U.S. government still owes Native American education. Treaties with Native tribes promised education, but the government failed to follow through. A 1969 Senate report called Indian education a “national tragedy.”Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Reports in 1999, 2012, and 2013 also criticized the government’s handling of Native schools.
Evolution of Native Education Policies
Native communities have fought for control over their education. The 1934 Indian Reorganization Act gave tribes the right to govern themselves, including in education. The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Acts of 1975 and the Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994 gave tribes more power over their programs, including education.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
But, historical trauma and the lack of Native Americans in STEM fields are still big problems. These issues make it hard to get education that is fair and fits Native youth’s needs.
Current State of Technology Access in Native Schools
Native communities face a big problem with technology in schools. Over 60% of Native schools don’t have enough internet or computers for online learning. They often use old technology that can’t keep up with today’s needs.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Native schools also deal with big repair needs. The repair bill for the 68 most at-risk schools is $1.3 billion. These schools have problems like leaky roofs, asbestos, and mold. This makes it hard for students to learn well.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
| Issue | Data |
|---|---|
| Lack of high-speed home internet access | 16.9 million students nationally lack high-speed home internet access |
| Lack of access to a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer | 7.3 million children have no access to a laptop, desktop, or tablet computer |
| Lack of high-speed internet access in American Indian/Alaska Native households | 34% of American Indian/Alaska Native households have no high-speed internet access, and 16% have no computer |
These numbers show how big the problem is. The lack of technology access in native communities makes learning hard. It also shows how underfunded schools struggle. We need to fix this to give Native students a fair chance to learn.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
“The backlog repair bill for the 68 highest-risk Bureau of Indian Education schools on Native American Reservations is $1.3 billion.”Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Tech for America Why Are Nativ Students Being Left Behind
Technology in education can change lives. But, indigenous students in the U.S. are still left behind. They don’t have the tech they need, making the education gap bigger. Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Digital Divide Statistics
Native students often don’t have the tech to succeed today. The National Indian Education Association (NIEA) says over 120 people talked about this problem. They talked about not having the right tools, training, and money.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Achievement Gap Analysis
The digital divide shows in Native students’ grades. BIE fourth-graders score lower in reading and math than public school Native students. Only 70% of Native students finish high school, compared to 82% nationally. BIE schools have a graduation rate of just 53%. Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Resource Disparities
Native communities face big challenges. Many homes don’t have internet, computers, or other digital tools. This makes it hard for students to learn online. Overcrowded homes and job bias make things even tougher.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
Fixing the tech gap in Native education is key. It’s about fairness and helping these communities succeed. By using tech that respects their culture and languages, we can make education better for Native students.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
“The digital divide disproportionately affects indigenous students, denying them access to the transformative potential of technology in education. Bridging this gap is essential for achieving true educational equity and empowering Native communities.”
Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Schools’ Challenges
The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) runs over 180 schools and dorms across the U.S. They serve about 46,000 students, mostly on reservations and in rural areas. But, BIE schools struggle to give quality education to native students.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
It’s hard to find and keep good teachers and principals. Principals face many rules just to buy textbooks. Also, schools get only 67% of what they need for running things.
The BIE has had problems with managing schools. Some schools use tests that don’t meet federal standards. They also don’t have enough money for things like bus gas and school repairs. Plus, many schools don’t teach native languages and cultures well.
These problems lead to bad stats for native student education. Many native people are young, but a lot live in poverty. Only 69% of native students graduate from high school, much lower than the national average.Native Students Left Behind: Tech Gap in U.S. Education
To fix these issues, we need to improve the BIE system. We must attract and keep good teachers, give schools the resources they need, and meet our promises to native communities.
“The reorganization aims to improve outcomes for Native American youth by modernizing the administrative structure of BIE.”
The BIE wants to change how it works to help native students more. They plan to create Education Resource Centers and an Office of Sovereignty in Indian Education. This will help schools get better support and resources. The BIE hopes this will lead to better education and outcomes for native students.
Cultural Integration and Technology Implementation
Culturally responsive teaching and Native language immersion are key to better education for Indigenous students in the U.S. The K-5 Puente de Hózhó Public Magnet School in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a great example. It ranks high among schools with Native students doing as well as or better than others.
Culturally Responsive Digital Learning
Using digital learning that fits Native cultures helps students feel at home and engaged. Ethnomathematics, a program that matches math with culture, has helped Native Hawaiian and Alaskan students do better in school.
Indigenous Language Preservation Through Tech
Technology is also key in keeping Indigenous languages alive. Schools can use digital tools and teach Native languages. This helps students keep their cultural and linguistic heritage alive, helping to close the achievement gap.
Community-Based Solutions
Getting communities involved is crucial for success in Native schools. Studies show that Native language and cultural programs, along with community support, help Native American students do better in school. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is working to make schools community-based. This lets tribal nations run their own schools.
The future of Native education in the U.S. depends on combining culture, language, and technology. By empowering Native communities and using new digital tools, we can bridge the achievement gap. This will give Native students the culturally responsive education they deserve.
Conclusion
The gap in technology access for Native American students in the U.S. is not okay. The “homework gap” hits 1 in 3 Black, Latino, and Native American students hard. This puts them way behind their white classmates.
Congress needs to move fast to pass the Emergency Education Connections Act. This bill would give $6.8 billion to fix this big problem. We must fix the lack of internet, computers, and tablets. And we must help students of color more.
We need to take bold steps to make sure no student is left out. We must honor our promises to Native nations. By understanding Native students’ culture and history, we can make learning fair and welcoming for them.
We must tackle the tech for america why are nativ students being left behind, education gap, digital divide, and technology access issues. This way, every student, no matter their background, can do well in today’s digital world.
FAQ
What is the percentage of American public school students who identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian?
Only 1% of American public school students identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian.
How has the achievement of Native students compared to other ethnic groups?
Native students’ achievement has remained flat while other ethnic groups have improved.
What percentage of Native students attend public schools versus Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools?
93% of Native students attend public schools, not Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools.
How do Native students in BIE schools perform compared to those in other public schools?
Native students in BIE schools underperform Native students in other public schools.
What is the high school graduation rate for Native students compared to the national average?
67% of Native American students graduate high school compared to 80% national average.
What is the college degree attainment rate for Native Americans compared to the national average?
Only 13% of Natives hold college degrees compared to 28% of Americans overall.
What was the historical impact of American Indian Boarding Schools on indigenous children?
In the late 1800s, American Indian Boarding Schools tried to “Americanize” indigenous children. They taught that their cultures and languages were inferior.
What is the current state of technology access and infrastructure in Native schools?
60% of Native schools lack bandwidth or computers for online learning. Many use outdated T1 connectivity. The repair bill for 68 BIE facilities is $1.3 billion. Schools face extreme disrepair.
How do the academic outcomes of Native students compare to their peers in other public schools?
Native students underperform peers in other public schools. BIE fourth-graders score 22 percentile points lower in reading and 14 points lower in math than Native students in public schools. Only 70% of Native students starting kindergarten graduate high school, compared to 82% national average. BIE schools have a 53% graduation rate.
What are some of the challenges facing BIE schools in attracting and retaining qualified teachers and principals?
BIE schools struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers and principals. Principals face complex regulations for basic functions like purchasing textbooks. Tribally-controlled schools are funded at 67% of administrative costs. BIE mismanagement led to schools using assessments that failed federal requirements. Schools lack funds for gasoline and maintenance, with buses traveling 15 million miles annually across rural terrain. Many schools have deficient curriculum for teaching Native language and culture.
