Native Culture and Language in the Classroom Observation (NCLCO)

Native Culture and Language in the Classroom Observation (NCLCO)

Published: Jan 31, 2021
Publisher: Washington, DC: Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Associated Project

American Indian and Alaska Native Head Start Family and Child Experiences Survey (AIAN FACES)

Time frame: 2014-2022

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation

Clients
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Authors

Jessica Barnes-Najor

Meryl Barofsky

Sara Bernstein

Lana Garcia

Laura Hoard

Laura McKechnie

Ethan Petticrew

Christine Sims

Allison Walker

Key Findings
  • An observational measure of culture and language in Native classrooms did not exist, so the study team collaborated with Workgroup members to develop the NCLCO.
  • The NCLCO records the presence or absence of a particular item, but does not detail the quantity or depth of use of items existing within a classroom.
  • The language and cultural practices questions ask whether Native language use occurred in the classroom and, if so, whether it was used in instruction or in conversation.
  • The questions also ask if storytelling following a Native oral tradition occurred.
  • The 2019 update includes more detail on Native language and storytelling.

The purpose of this report is to share the Native Culture and Language in the Classroom Observation (NCLCO), which is a measure that records the types of cultural materials that surround children in Region XI Head Start classrooms. We provide the NCLCO that was used in the AIAN FACES 2015 data collection and the updated NCLCO that was revised for AIAN FACES 2019.

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