Data from the American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (AI/AN FACES 2015) describe the developmental progress of Region XI Head Start children as they complete a year in the preschool program. Region XI serves children and families in programs operated by federally recognized AI/AN tribes. These programs serve about 20,000 children, the majority of whom are AI/AN. Mathematica Policy Research conducted AI/AN FACES 2015, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation. Through nearly two years of planning, Mathematica maintained an active partnership with Region XI AI/AN programs and sought advice from members of a stakeholder workgroup committed to ensure that tribal voices were at the forefront.
A series of new reports summarizes findings based on the 2015–2016 program year:
- Descriptive Data on Region XI Head Start Children and Families: AI/AN FACES Fall 2015-Spring 2016 Data Tables and Study Design
- Psychometric Analysis of Child Outcome Measures with American Indian and Alaska Native Preschoolers: Initial Evidence from AI/AN FACES 2015
Selected findings demonstrate that Region XI children make gains in language, literacy, and math skills across the program year but score lower than children of the same age nationally. These findings are similar to other studies of Head Start children and identify an opportunity for growth. On average, teachers report that Region XI children have better social skills, more positive approaches to learning, and improved performance on a measure of executive function in the spring compared with the fall. The study examined some of the cultural and linguistic experiences of children. Specifically, although 94 percent of parents report in the fall that English is the primary language they use at home, 47 percent of AI/AN children in Region XI have families that speak a tribal language at home. In the spring, 56 percent of all Region XI children are in classrooms that receive tribal language lessons, and 75 percent are in centers with a culture or language specialist. Findings such as these are a starting point for understanding Region XI children’s strengths and needs and provide insights on potential areas for supporting their healthy development and learning.
