Indigenous Education

Overview

The Indigenous Education Associate of Arts degree is derived from the National Association for the Education ofYoung Children (NAEYC) Accreditation Standards and input gathered through the 2012 Uqautchim Uglua Gathering.

The certificate program serves as a stepping stone to the degree program in that all coursework applied to the Certificate I and II will count toward the degree. The purpose of the certificate program in Indigenous Education is to give students the opportunity to explore the discipline as well as recognize and celebrate milestones toward completion of the degree.

Degree Outcomes

The following degree outcomes are based, in part, on the NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation and the Alaska Standards for Culturally Responsive Schools. Phrasing and terminology have been modified to better reflect the desired outcomes for students who originate from or plan to serve the local community.

Promoting Child Development & Learning

• Graduates will use understanding of children’s unique characteristics, needs, and interacting influences to create healthy, supportive, challenging, and culturally responsive learning environments

Using Developmentally Effective Approaches

• Graduates will understand and use a wide array of developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive approaches, instructional strategies, and tools to make connections with children and their families and positively influence each child’s development and learning.

Building Meaningful Curriculum

• Graduates will utilize academic and cultural resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula that promote positive developmental and learning outcomes for every child.

Developing Professionalism

• Graduates will know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards and demonstrate an ability to collaborate, engage in reflective practice, and communicate in culturally and professionally appropriate ways

Program Entry and Timing

The AA program is designed to accommodate full and part-time students. Students who have been admitted to the program meet with their advisor to determine the entry point of their coursework and make a study plan.

The program encourages student engagement both online and in the classroom and provides opportunities for observation and practicum experiences in local settings. All students over the age of 16 will undergo a routine background check prior to interacting with children in a classroom environment.