The Native Education Equity Project : educating for the future

Abstract

From the boarding school era to the current high drop-out rates, western-based education systems have a 50% failure rate in its service to the American Indian students of Montana. This thesis takes a critical look at the historical ramifications of Western based education on the Native Peoples of Montana, and the contemporary response from the state to improve Indian Education. The purpose of this thesis is to research current pedagogies being used within public schools with high Indian student populations, to provide recommendations to improve those pedagogies, and to create professional development strategies for teachers who work with Indian students. This thesis uses a collaborative, action-based research model and will provide solutions to current problems involving public Indian Education within Montana. The implementation of The Native Education Equity Project is just one step towards the further development of Indian Education within Montana.