University of Denver Digital Commons @ DU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 2020 Educational Achievement, Engagement, and Persistence in Choctaw Nation: A Study of the Success Through Academic Recognition Program Suzanne Delap Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd Part of the Educational Psychology Commons, Elementary Education Commons, Indigenous Education Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, School Psychology Commons, and the Secondary Education Commons Educational Achievement, Engagement, and Persistence in Choctaw Nation: A Study of the Success Through Academic Recognition Program __________ A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Morgridge College of Education University of Denver __________ In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy __________ by Suzanne Delap March 2020 Advisor: Dr. Gloria Miller ©Copyright by Suzanne Delap 2020 All Rights Reserved Author: Suzanne Delap Title: Educational Achievement, Engagement, and Persistence in Choctaw Nation: A Study of the Success Through Academic Recognition Program Advisor: Dr. Gloria Miller Degree Date: March 2020 Abstract The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has developed a unique initiative to support academic achievement within their tribal territory. The Success Through Academic Recognition (STAR) program is an example of an Indigenously-developed approach to supporting students from grades 2-12, with the hope of promoting achievement, persistence, and engagement. To study the STAR program, a mixed-methods approach was employed to first analyze quantitative demographic and performance data collected from a cohort of high school students from 2014 to 2018. Next, phenomenological interviews were conducted within the same cohort, to describe the lived experiences of STAR students within the Choctaw community. The database portion of this project adds to the existing literature by exploring a previously unresearched academic incentive program, which was wholly developed by and for Native peoples. The interview component of this research provides insight for school psychologists regarding student perceptions of STAR as a Choctaw-developed initiative for educational success, thereby shedding light on the critical components of community and culture which form the foundations for our work with indigenous populations. ii Acknowledgements There are numerous people who contributed to this research, and I would like to thank as many as I can (though any exclusion is unintentional). First, I would like to thank Choctaw Nation and my panel members: Mr. Jason Campbell, Mr. Carey Fuller, Mr. Todd Hughes, Ms. Ashley James, Dr. Celia Stall-Meadows, Ms. Chantelle Standefer, Dr. Ian Thompson, and the Choctaw Nation IRB and Language School. Special thanks also go to Mr. Ignacio Ybarra and Khoji Ybarra of Mizuni Software. At DU, I am deeply indebted to Dr. Gloria Miller, Dr. Frédérique Chevillot, Dr. Jeanine Coleman, Dr. Kathy Green, and Dr. Chris Nelson for their support and guidance. Last but not least, this research is dedicated to two families, the Delaps and the Derryberrys. I could not have done this without you. iii Table of Contents Preface ................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................................. 2 The High School to College Pipeline...................................................................... 2 Educational Statistics .............................................................................................. 3 Intervention and Indigenous Initiatives .................................................................. 5 Itapela Hosh Nana Yakomichi – Choctaw Nation and Education .......................... 6 The STAR Program ................................................................................................ 7 Motivation and Reinforcement ............................................................................... 9 Research Statement and Query ............................................................................. 10 Quantitative Research Questions .......................................................................... 12 Qualitative Research Questions ............................................................................ 13 Definition of Terms............................................................................................... 13 Chapter Two: Literature Review and Theoretical Orientation ................................. 16 The Chahta People and Origins of STAR ............................................................ 16 History of Choctaw Education .............................................................................. 17 Traditional Society ................................................................................................ 17 From Tribal Tradition to Missionary Schools ...................................................... 18 Post Removal and Contemporary ......................................................................... 21 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................... 25 Transculturation .................................................................................................... 25 Western Motivation Theory – Social Cognitive Theory (SCT)............................ 28 Native American Motivation Theory – Family, Funds of Knowledge, and Inherited Trauma ................................................................................................... 31 Demographic Effects on Educational Outcomes .................................................. 33 Systemic Bias ........................................................................................................ 36 Cultural Variations ................................................................................................ 38 Chapter Three: Methods ................................................................................................ 40 Mixed Methods Approach .................................................................................... 40 Access ................................................................................................................... 41 Overview of Participant Selection ........................................................................ 42 Definition of Measures ......................................................................................... 43 Independent Variables .......................................................................................... 44 Dependent Variables ............................................................................................. 45 Dataset................................................................................................................... 45 Quantitative Analysis Methods ............................................................................. 46 Question 1 – Educational Achievement and Engagement .................................... 46 Multinomial Coding .............................................................................................. 46 Assumptions – Multinomial................................................................................... 47 Assumptions – Binomial ........................................................................................ 49 iv Question 2 – Educational Persistence over Time ................................................. 50 Qualitative Analysis Methods ............................................................................... 51 Phenomenology..................................................................................................... 51 Interview Participant Selection and Data Management ........................................ 53 Saturation .............................................................................................................. 54 Data Security ......................................................................................................... 56 Procedures of Institutional Review Board (IRB) .................................................. 57 Considerations of Method ..................................................................................... 57 Chapter Four: Results .................................................................................................... 59 Quantitative ........................................................................................................... 59 Factors Affecting Educational Achievement ........................................................ 59 Factors Affecting Educational Engagement ......................................................... 66 Factors Affecting Educational Persistence ........................................................... 67 Quantitative Summary .......................................................................................... 71 Qualitative ............................................................................................................. 72 Self-Motivation ..................................................................................................... 74 Iksa (Support)........................................................................................................ 78 Iyyi Kowa (Service)..............................................................................................