The State of American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) Education in California 2014

With 723,225 American Indian/ Alaskan Native (AI/ANʼs), California has the largest AI/AN population of any other state — a 15.2 percent increase from the 2000 census. Two of the nation's largest populations of Indians reside in California — 54,236 AI/ANʼs in Los Angeles and 17,855 AI/ANʼs in San California.

The topic of AI/AN education in California is important. Historically, AI/AN students have been underserved and neglected by the stateʼs education system. This neglect impacts the future of tribal communities and their abilities to deal with an ever-changing world.

Furthermore, AI/AN students deal with challenges that are unique compared to any other marginalized communities. AI/AN student enrollment is often the smallest at the various public school institutions throughout the state. This leads to further marginalization when comparing the data to other racialized groups; AI/ANʼs educational needs become invisible and less important. 

These circumstances dictate that there is an urgent need to provide data on the engagement of AI/AN students in Californiaʼs education system.

The State of American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) Education in California 2014

INITIAL FINDINGS IN THE REPORT: 

9th- and 12th- grade AI/ANʼs have disproportionally high drop out rates and do not receive high school diplomas.

The drop out rate of the 2007-2008 AI/AN cohort was about 6% higher than the state average.
About 68% of the AI/AN 2007-2008 cohort received a high school diploma, which is 7% lower than the state average.

Although AI/AN make up 1.9% of Californiaʼs population they are underrepresented, in Californiaʼs three-tier higher education system.

40% of AI/AN high school graduates fulfill UC/CSU entrance requirements which is 13% lower than the state average.
At the community college level, AI/AN enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year was about .6%
At the CSU level, AI/AN enrollment for fall 2011 was about .4%. Within the UC system AI/AN enrollment for fall 2011 was about .7%.

Graduation rates at CSU are lower than the state average for the 2004 cohort.
The 4 year graduation rate for AI/ANʼs was 14% whereas the state rate was 17%. The 5 year graduation rate for AI/ANʼs was 35% whereas the state rate was 41%. The 6 year graduation rate for AI/ANʼs was 45% where as the state rate was 52%.

AI/AN personnel at all levels of public education are lacking.
At the K–12 level, the overall AI/AN personnel rates fall bellow the AI/AN student rate of enrollment.