Kiowa cultural values and persistence in higher education.

Abstract

Historically, the presence of American Indians on college and university campuses was disproportionate to their numbers in the common schools. Within the last three decades this trend changed. Though their attendance figures grew almost exponentially during the period, their completion rate remained extremely low. This phenomenon attracted educational researchers. Numerous studies were conducted, primarily in reservation states such as Arizona, Montana, and New Mexico. Researchers found that of all ethnic groups attending college in pursuit of an undergraduate degree, American Indians were the least successful. Findings for their high attrition rate included lack of academic preparation, poor study habits, lack of campus role models, lack of financial support, homesickness, poor advisement, poor self-image, culture shock and cultural conflict. This study approached the question from the latter aspect: the notion that cultural conflict may be a contributing cause to their high attrition rate.

The survey was designed to ascertain the relationship, if any, that existed between certain Kiowa cultural attributes and individual characteristics to degree attainment (persistence). Of the cultural variables examined, one was found to be related to persistence, and it was negative. The Chi-square test for statistical significance indicated several individual characteristics were significant at the 0.05 level.

Although the 1990 Census showed that Oklahoma had the largest population of American Indians residing within its borders, few educational studies involving its American Indian college students had been conducted. This study sought to remedy that shortage. The known population for this study consisted of more than 1,100 enrolled Kiowa tribal members who attended college between 1983 (the first year the Kiowa Tribe contracted the Higher Education Grant Program from the Bureau of Indian Affairs) and Summer 1993. One hundred sixty-nine were identified as the sample group to receive a locally developed questionnaire called the Kiowa Cultural Values Survey. Survey participants had attended various four-year colleges and universities throughout Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas.