| Title: | Guide to Conducting a Needs Assessment for American Indian Students |
| Description: | American Indian communities often bring a deep sense of connection, relationships, and knowledge to their children’s education. However, education research has repeatedly shown that American Indian students trail their peers in achievement, attendance, and postsecondary readiness. Regional Educational Laboratory Central, the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, and educators across North Dakota collaboratively developed needs assessment surveys for the state. These surveys are a primary focus of this tool which can be adapted for use in other state and local education agencies across the nation. These surveys can be used to identify and monitor the needs and successes of schools serving American Indian students. Survey development involved rigorous processes to ensure that the surveys were technically sound and culturally appropriate. The surveys provide a means to evaluate different characteristics of schools and the resulting data can guide focused supports for American Indian students. For example, state and local education agency staff may use the information from the surveys to identify target areas of need in order to provide additional resources, such as professional development activities, curricular materials, instructional strategies, and research articles, to schools. As education agencies begin to implement strategies and programs, the surveys can be readministered to monitor progress toward goals. The tool also provides guidance on administering the surveys and analyzing and interpreting the resulting data. |
| Online Availability: |
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| Cover Date: | September 2020 |
| Web Release: | September 17, 2020 |
| Publication #: | REL 2020032 |
| Center/Program: | REL |
| Associated Centers: | NCEE |
| Authors: | Kerry Englert, Kara Underwood, Lucy Fredericks, Joshua Stewart, and Ceri Dean |
| Type of Product: | Tools |
| Keywords: | |
| Questions: |
For questions about the content of this Tools, please contact: Amy Johnson. |