American Indians 



Background. 



There are 1.4 million Americans 

 enrolled in the 278 recognized 

 tribes and 300 Aleut and Eskimo 

 villages. Many American Indians, 

 including those who hold degrees 

 and professional jobs, prefer to 

 maintain their separate tribal 

 identity. American Indians make 

 up 0.6 percent of the U.S. popula- 

 tion, and are 0.5 percent of all em- 

 ployed scientists and engineers. 

 They hold 0.3 percent of all bache- 

 lors' degrees and 0.11 percent of 

 all Ph.D.s in science and engineer- 

 ing. American Indian women earn 

 two-thirds as many bachelors' 

 degrees in science as American 

 Indian men and only one-sixth as 

 many degrees in engineering. 



The Pipeline. 



About half of American Indians 

 enrolled in tribes are younger 

 than 2 1 and most receive a gener- 

 ally poor mathematics and science 

 education. In Bureau of Indian 

 Affairs schools, teacher turnover 

 is high and Indian role models are 

 few. Less than 16 percent of 

 teachers are American Indians. 

 Many students who enroll in col- 

 lege return home before they 

 graduate. Positive early and 

 middle school experiences are 

 essential to preparing Indian 

 young people for science and 

 engineering careers. Then strong 

 support programs which respect 

 family and tribal ties are crucial to 

 success in college. 



Scientists and Engineers Needed 



Bachelors' Degrees 



Received 

 1987 



Doctorate Degrees 



Received 

 1987 



Needed Per Year 

 (1990-2000) 



Needed Per Year 

 (1990-2000) 



A : 



5000 Students 



100 Students 



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