Views and Perspectives of Native Educational Success: A National Survey of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Others Associated with Indian Education

American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (referred to collectively as Native in this report) are achieving success in education. While research literature has been dominated by examination of factors associated with a deficit model (Deyhle & Swisher, 1997), the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) has advocated for bringing increased attention to educational practices that promote Native student success (NIEA, 2009). The purpose of this multi-phase research project was to examine the experience of educational success for Native students and to identify indicators associated with Native student success. The research questions guiding the study were:

• How do educators perceive the role of K-12 and non-tribal colleges and universities in meeting the needs of Native students?
• How do educators define educational success for Native students?
• What factors influence educational success for Native students?
• What qualities of the Native student experience are important to their success?
• How is educational success for Native students different from or similar to educational success for non-Native students?