Exploring educational challenges among economically disadvantaged Native American/Alaskan Native families

Project (M.S.W., Social Work) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2012.This descriptive study examined educational challenges among economically disadvantaged Native American/ Alaskan Native families, collected through a questionnaire completed by 84 tribally connected respondents who receive services from Shingle Springs Tribal TANF. Study findings indicate a strong positive correlation between general self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation to learn [r=.716 at p>.01], indicating a highly motivated group of respondents who believe in their abilities to succeed. Bicultural beliefs and academic self-efficacy scores indicated a weak positive correlation [r=.291 at p>.01] suggesting that culturally relevant educational opportunities are crucial to educational success. Respondents identified financial hardships, childcare, transportation, pressure to work, fear of failing, and uncertainty about educational processes as their most influential educational challenges. Recommendations include strengthening accessibility to culturally relevant educational opportunities and resources while increasing outreach efforts that integrate cultural components with the strengths identified such as motivation and academic self-efficacy. In addition, it is recommended that innovative educational programs and policies be created to strengthen existing programs to address the identified educational challenges within this community.Social Wor