Public schools to do head count of Natives

Page 14

Native parents in Edmonton will be asked to identify their heritage when they register their children in the city's public school system next fall as part of a plan to help measure the success rate of Native students.

"We don't really know how Native students do versus non-Natives because we've never asked people to identify themselves by their ethnic background," said public school board program consultant Gloria Chalmers.

"If they did, we would be able to look at the progress of the student...but it would be completely voluntary."

The board is conducting studies to help determine what curriculum and programs would be best suited for the city's growing Native student population, and which ones would entice students to stay in school.

But Chalmers said her department needs to know how many Native students there are in the public schools before adapting the programs throughout the system.

The Edmonton Public School Board made its decision last year, which would permit Native parents to identify their cultural background so it could effectively introduce these programs.

There are public schools in Edmonton that have already adapted Native programs for their students, but their success rates for teaching Native students can't be considered for the general school populations.

"There just isn't any comparative data," she said. "We have to know for sure."

Prince Charles Elementary School currently operates the Awasis program for its 254 students, 95 per cent of them Native. And Edmonton's Ben Calf Robe School has also developed courses which help Native students.

But public school board consultant Keven McGinely said Native parents and children need greater assurances they're receiving the educational programing that meets their needs.

But the new plan to identify the cultural background of Native students in Edmonton beginning in September has not convinced inner-city Native parent Barb Budesheim, who said Native children have enough to worry about without added pressure.

She fears Native children will face increased discrimination if their Native heritage is identified.

"They already have to go through a lot when they got to school," she said. "This will just open up a whole new can of worms."

The education spokesman for the Indian Association of Alberta also questions the merits of the new plan to identify Native students.

"Who are they trying to kid?" said Francis Weaselefat. "They know who is Native and who's not. They should be more concerned with the students' achievements.