Native Americans and Education

Pluralism vs. Assimilation Pluralism- valuing and maintaining cultural and linguistic differences within a society Assimilation- the process by which diverse cultures are absorbed into a dominant culture With Native Americans???

Post Civil War Era Assimilation becomes the most popular approach Rise of off-reservation industrial boarding schools (ex. Carlisle) Mission schools Jim Thorpe story

Reformers- John Collier Executive Secretary for the American Indian Defense Association Merriam Report 1. Do away with “Uniform Course of Study” 2. Older children only at Boarding schools 3. Indian service provides tools for adapting to both white and Indian world ***no more assimilation

Reformers- Willard Walcott Beatty Added to what Collier had done (same position) Pushed progressivist ideals including: 1. More “educational” job skills 2. Teachers taught to be more sensitive to the needs of Native American children 3. Bilingual materials 4. Children learned more about own cultural values

1940s-1970s Brief return back to assimilation with cuts in funding Mid 1960s (about face) 1. Native American to head Bureau of Indian Affairs 2. Advisory Council on Indian Education formed ###1970s- most boarding schools finally shut down

Today Move towards self- determination Improve high school completion rate Still problems of poverty, substance abuse 2007 study/ NPR Report