Advocating for OurNative American

Studentsby

Roxy Falsetto

The Good News● DPS graduation rate increased: ● From 61.3 percent in 2012-13

To 62.8 percent in 2013-14● Overall dropout rate declined from

5 percent to 4.5 percent (Zubrzycki, J., 2015)

The Bad News● 39.5 percent of American Indian

students graduated in four years, compared to 73.5 percent of Denver’s students who identified as white (Zubrzycki, J., 2015)

ECE Kinder First Second Third Fourth Fifth Total

American Indian

1.5% 0% 1.2% 0% 2.1% 0% 2.6% 6

Asian 3% 3.2% 2.4% 2.1% 1.1% 0% 0% 10

Black (Not Hispanic)

1.5% 1.1% 2.4% 2.1% 0% 1.3% 1.3% 8

Hispanic 87.9% 84.9% 89.3% 89.6% 91.6% 97.5% 92.3% 530

White, not Hispanic

6.1% 10.8% 4.8% 6.3% 5.3% 1.3% 3.8% 33

The following chart shows the percentage of students by race reporting category

● Native Americans have the highest poverty rate in the U.S.● Native American Students score lower on standardized tests in reading

and mathematics

Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand. - Tribe Unknown.

● The Native American student may feel like they do not belong if they do not see signs of representation

● May have an attitude of US and Them not We

● May feel discouraged to succeed

GoalsTo engage the Native American student in reading● Having books that relate to their culture

To engage the Native American student in mathematics● (Ethnomathematics) = Culture based mathematics

To teach cultural competency● Start Culture Days

To decrease the dropout rates of Native American Students● Track the student through DPS Infinite Campus● On track to graduate

● “I wish my teacher knew” writing sessions

● Why Native American Men keep their hair longhttp://www.sott.net/article/234783-The-Truth-About-Hair-and-Why-Indians-Would-Keep-Their-Hair-Long

● Possible Interventions for Native American Studentshttps://www.dpi.state.nd.us/title1/progress/menus/menunativeam.pdf

Thank You

Reference

Zubrzycki, J. (2015) Positive trends in Denver graduation, drop-out rates continue: But some question how prepared students are

for life post-high school. Retrieved from: http://co.chalkbeat.org/2015/01/26/denver-graduation-drop-out-rates-continue-

positive-trends/#.VT7FKCFViko