Indian Education: A Human Systems Analysis
CARL A. HAMMERSCHLAG M.D.1,
CLAYTON P. ALDERFER PH.D., , and
DAVID BERG M.A.
1 Mental Health Consultant, Indian Health Service, 4212 North Sixteenth St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85016
The problems of Indian boarding schools are examined in the light of both systems theory and data from interviews and questionnaires conducted at one school. The authors conclude that the schools have failed to define their primary task—to educate or to handle children with behavior problems. More importantly, the impact of the whole educational system perpetuates the Indians' powerlessness and dependency on the government. The authors express the hope that, if there is more community involvement in the schools, this will lead to greater assumption of responsibility by Indians in other spheres.
