Since 2018, responses on the Family Survey to the Cultural Connectedness Scale have improved slightly at STEPS schools, from 65% favorable in 2018 to 67% favorable in 2021.

2021 Disaggregated Data:

Overall, family members responded more positively to the questions on cultural connectedness than students. Similar patterns to student responses are shown, with AKN2+ families responding less favorably than white counterparts. The overall lowest indicator is “My child’s teacher makes an effort to represent my family’s culture in class lessons,” a tangible step that district teaching staff can implement right away (See “See Strategy Responses Based On Your Story Behind The Curve Analysis”).

Note: While the SCCS Family Survey does collect income information, we chose not to disaggregate this data by income level because the solutions in this area are more focused on improving outcomes for AK Native students rather than low income students (although, important to note is that a disproportionate number of AK Native/ 2+ race families are low).

Cultural Connectedness Score (% favorable) by School:

We will be working with family engagement coordinators and culturally responsive schools leadership in each district to focus in on understanding the story behind this data and to address schools that have been working on this solution area but are not seeing significant results.