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The National Study of American Indian Education has documented a broad consensus among parents, students, teachers, and influential persons that the most important role of the schools is to prepare Indian students for employment in the dominant economy and for successful lives in the sociocultural mainstream. With occasional exceptions, curriculum for Indian children in both Bureau of Indian Affairs schools and in public schools parallels the curriculum provided to non-Indian students in the public schools. There is virtually no quarrel with the principle that the curriculum for Indian youth should include the very best curriculum provided non-Indian youth, but several major areas stand out as issues of concern. Among these are the inclusion of tribal culture and history in school instruction, language instruction, vocational emphasis, and attention to the dignity of Indian identity. Whatever curriculum developments take place in American education, it is unlikely that Indian parents will want anything less for their children than the same curriculum offered to other Americans. The most outstanding difference, however, is that Indian parents would like the schools to give recognition to Indian identity. (JH)

Excerpts from tape recorded interviews with 14 beginning teachers in slum schools form the basis of this volume. Written to help neophyte teachers gain insights into the problems and experiences of teaching in such schools, the book presents anecdotes followed by discussion of relevant social science and cultural anthropological theory. There are sections dealing with the first day euphoria, the early onset of "culture shock," the low status given by the beginning teachers, and the rituals which institutionalize professional status. (NH)

Describes the first institution of higher education in the country completely organized and controlled by Indians - the Navajo Community College. (Author)

Indian education is discussed as to its quality and problems. The need for providing flexible education programs, with massive Federal funding, that will allow the Indians to be involved in and develop programs best suited for their children is emphasized. (DB)