Aboriginal students face numerous barriers upon leaving their communities and attending postsecondary institutions. Many Aboriginal students are ill-prepared to succeed at university, resulting in graduation rates at post-secondary schools well below those of non-Aboriginals. Accessibility and affordability present difficulties, and throughout university the students often face racism and discrimination from peers, professors and administration. Altogether too frequently, these and other factors prove to be too great a barrier to overcome and result in students dropping out. To increase retent
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Aboriginal students face numerous barriers upon leaving their communities and attending postsecondary institutions. Many Aboriginal students are ill-prepared to succeed at university, resulting in graduation rates at post-secondary schools well below those of non-Aboriginals. Accessibility and affordability present difficulties, and throughout university the students often face racism and discrimination from peers, professors and administration. Altogether too frequently, these and other factors prove to be too great a barrier to overcome and result in students dropping out. To increase retention of Aboriginal students, post-secondary institutions must listen and respond to needs articulated by Aboriginal students. This research project focuses on obtaining knowledge for Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions about how they can provide the necessary resources to enable Aboriginal students to succeed. Coordinated by the AAU working Committee on Aboriginal Issues, this research project has conducted 59 interviews with students from nine Atlantic Canadian post-secondary institutions. The data produced from the interviews was analyzed using a qualitative method informed by grounded theory design. This design focuses on new data that leads to themes and concepts, which in turn develops theories. Respondents expressed their views of available supports, what services are needed, their motivations for pursuing post-secondary education, and overall what has helped or hindered their success at post-secondary institutions. From this data and the accompanying analysis, recommendations on how to increase Aboriginal retention at post-secondary institutions in Atlantic Canada were developed.
Excerpt from publication.
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