AN EXPLORATORY CASE STUDY ANALYSIS OF TRIBAL AND SCHOOL LEADERS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARD HOW GAMING MONEY IS USED IN A TRIBAL SCHOOL
Open Access
- Author:
- Trottier, Neil Wayne
- Graduate Program:
- Educational Leadership
- Degree:
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Document Type:
- Dissertation
- Date of Defense:
- September 17, 2007
- Committee Members:
- John W Tippeconnic Iii, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Susan C Faircloth, Committee Chair/Co-Chair
Edgar Paul Yoder, Committee Member
Jacqueline A Stefkovich, Committee Member - Keywords:
- tribal school
gaming
perceptions - Abstract:
- The purpose of this study is to examine how Indian gaming revenue is used to support tribal schools by exploring key stakeholders’ perceptions of the overall effect of gaming money on improving services provided by tribally controlled schools in the Midwest. In addition, underfunded tribal schools and failed federal policies remain a dilemma for most American Indian tribes. The study site was a tribally controlled school located in one Midwestern state. A qualitative exploratory method was used to assess tribal and school leaders’ perceptions as a means of gathering rich, descriptive information. Participants from both the tribe and tribal school were interviewed for this case study. Interviews were divided into three sections that included: face-to-face, telephone, and email journals. The following information describes the findings based on the participants’ perceptions, which include, for example: (a) a new school; (b) providing jobs and tribal infrastructure; (c) extracurricular activities; (d) parent involvement including volunteering and community culture activities; (e) new computers; and (f) socioeconomics and self-determination. In addition, gaming revenue is making an impact on student academic achievement in the following areas: attendance; student-to-teacher ratios; language and culture; and salaries. Additional research in the area of Indian gaming and tribal schools is needed. It is recommended that future researchers experiment with other types of methodologies. For example, a quantitative study could be used for tribal school participants by comparing tribal schools that receive gaming money and those that do not (e.g. T-test).