×

Native American students struggle

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Native American students in North Dakota are struggling in school despite the state’s overall high school graduation rate remaining high.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction held a Dropout Prevention and Re-engagement Summit on Oct. 1, The Bismarck Tribune reported. The summit was scheduled after teachers of Native American students across the state requested to know more information about dropout prevention strategies.

The total graduation rate was nearly 90 percent for the 2015-16 school year, the most recent data available. But te rate for Native American students was at about 65 percent.

State Superintendent Kirsten Baesler said that since the No Child Left Behind Act was enacted in 2002 achievement gaps for all subgroups have gone down, except for Native American students.

“That is not OK, and it keeps me up at night . obviously, what we were doing for 15 years was not working. We have to re-examine that, and we have to do things differently,” said Baesler.

She also said that the replacement for No Child Left Behind will help with these efforts.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.65/week.

Subscribe Today