A comparison of the characteristics of 259 Alaskan Native students who dropped out of school during the academic year 1969-1970

The Problem and Purpose Very little research had been done related to the Alaska native student who dropped out of school. The Bureau of Indian Affairs had noted a growing number of native student dropouts in recent years. That lack of current research together with the growing number of natives leaving school prompted the Juneau Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Social Service Division and the Alaska State Department of Education to encourage and support this project to study native dropouts and their needs. The purpose of this study was to determine characteristics and attitudes of the Alaska native student dropout, focusing on the following questions: 1. What factors influenced dropping out of school? 2. What had the student been doing since leaving school? 3. What would the student like to be doing and what were his future educational plans? 4. What social service had the students received from the various social service agencies since leaving school? 5. What kinds of additional services were provided, and what were the characteristics of those who wanted additional services?