Inequality In Native American Education

Inequality in Public Education for Native Americans

Since the founding of our nation, Native Americans have been victims of discrimination.

Unfortunately, little has been done since then to increase opportunities for them. With a 67%

high school dropout rate and one in three Native Americans living in poverty, inequality in

education is becoming increasingly evident for Native American teens (“2014 Native Youth

Report” 5). American Indian students are being neglected by the American public school system,

and as a result, do not have equal educational opportunities such as access to college and other

scholastic resources.

The first Native American boarding school was established in 1754. At the time, these

schools had underlying motives.

In the past, Native Americans students have

continued to perform poorly in school. With an alarmingly low high school graduation rate,

Native Americans are at risk of becoming trapped in a vicious cycle of poverty.

As of 2014, more than one in three Native American children live in poverty, which can

have deteriorating effects on their education (“2014 Native Youth Report” 5). If living conditions

at home aren’t ideal, Native American children may not have access to the appropriate setting

required for studying. In addition, they might have limited access to the resources necessary for

completing their assignments. This creates an unfair disadvantage for Native Americans.

Unfortunately, the conditions of BIE schools aren’t any better. In a recent visit to a

Native American school, Rep. John Kline. R-Minn. discovered the substandard quality of the

buildings. Kline reported “collapsing roofs, leaking roofs, buckling floors, exposed wires,

popping circuit breakers, and gas leaks.” He also took notice of the freezing temperatures in

these shabby classrooms (Brown). How can a child be expected to concentrate and learn in

Not only does this

prevent them from reaching their full potential, it also means that they have less chances of

earning college credits prior to entering college. For those who do go on to attend college, the

absence of exposure to college-level classes suggests that Native American students aren’t being

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adequately prepared for the rigor of college work. Chances are, they will not have the

appropriate academic background to be successful in college.

Critics might argue that Native Americans do have equal access to education and

opportunity for advancement; they just have to overcome certain obstacles first. What they are

failing to realize is that these student aren’t being given any other option. We are essentially

setting them up for failure.

Ultimately, the lack of emphasis on Native American education creates a discouraging

attitude towards their potential for success in the future. Poverty, inadequate schools, low

standardized test scores, and minimal course offerings have all posed challenges for Native

American students, and need to be addressed immediately in order to ensure that no Native

student has to fall victim to his circumstances ever