Student absenteeism: An American Indian/Native American community perspective

Boloz and Lincoln (1983) conducted an intervention study concerning Native American student absences in the public schools in a rural setting. There is little known about Native American student absences in the public school in metropolitan areas. To address this issue, a qualitative study was conducted with the community members from an American Indian community in a metropolitan area. This community was chosen as a result of a pilot study that indicated there may be reasons for student absences not previously identified. The present research (a) documented the parents' and community members' understanding of student absenteeism in an American Indian community, (b) explored parents' and community members' values regarding school attendance in light of the values in the American Indian community, (c) examined the local district policy regarding absenteeism, (d) explored the congruence/incongruence of the local district policy with the family values in the American Indian community, and (e) explored collaborative problem solving directions the school district and community could consider. Nineteen people were interviewed. All had different positions within the community, including tribal administration, school personnel, parents and relatives of school children. Many interviewees functioned in more than one capacity such as tribal administrator and parent. Individual interviews and focus group sessions were analyzed using themes and categorical analysis to discern the community attitudes toward student absenteeism in the public schools. The study revealed that community members all valued education and school attendance. There were differences among people regarding their understanding of excused or unexcused absences. Parents and community members defined what they felt were responsibilities for themselves, school personnel, and tribal administration. School district policy defined student absences by using a coding system, yet parents and community members defined student absences in terms of family needs not district policy (e.g., there were many interpretations of what constituted illness). Parents and community members preferred to deal with school personnel on an individual basis although they expressed discomfort entering the schools. Several recommendations were made, based on parent and community member comments, for further dialogue among the parents, tribal administration, community members, school personnel, and district administration. Neither the American Indian community nor the school district were identified in this study to maintain anonymity for the American Indian people involved.