A Comparative Analysis of Indian and Non-Indian Parents' Influence on Educational Aspirations, Expectations, Preferences and Behavior of Indian and Non-Indian High School Students in Four High Schools.

The major objective of this study was to ascertain which of the eligible persons most influenced students' educational aspirations, expectations, and potential performance. Information on educational aspirations and expectations of 119 Native Americans and 304 non-Indian youth attending 4 small rural high schools in Montana was obtained by questionnaire. Findings showed that parents are perceived to have the most influence on students' school work and that siblings are next important. Data also indicated variations in choice of most influential parent in terms of ethnicity, residence, sex, and level of family income. Differences between Indian students and non-Indian students are not as great as differences between low- and high-income students in either ethnic group. A related document is RC005684. (LS)