Interview Questionnaire & Demographic Survey (long version)

For the purposes of this interview, we define alternative education as a school or program designed to meet the needs of at risk students who are unable to progress effectively in a regular school program.
Name: 


  1. The Interview
    Part One – Interview Questionnaire
    Are you Aboriginal or Métis? (Please check the appropriate box.)
    Aboriginal (proceed with interview)
    Métis (proceed with interview)
    Neither (interview must stop here)


  1. Tell me about where you grew up. (Prompt: Where? What was it like?)


  1. What is the highest grade level that you completed?


  1. Elementary School and Junior High
    What was your elementary school experience like? (Prompt: Did you enjoy school? Did you do well? What did you like, not like? Did anyone encourage and support you?)


  1. Did you go to junior high? What was it like?


  1. Did you have to transfer to another school for junior high? If so, was the transition difficult? Why?


  1. Where did you go to elementary school and junior high?
    On-reserve
    Off-reserve (rural location)
    Off-reserve (urban location)


  1. Were they Aboriginal schools?
    Yes
    No


  1. Were there any/many Aboriginal staff members at your elementary and junior high schools? How did this make you feel? Please explain?


  1. Did you feel welcome at these schools? Please explain.


  1. What courses did you like? What didn’t you like? Why?


  1. High School
    If you went to high school, where was the school?
    On-reserve
    Off-reserve (rural location)
    Off-reserve (urban location)


  1. If you went to a new school, what was your transition like?


  1. Did you find the transition difficult? (Prompt: In what ways? Why?)


  1. Did you feel welcome? (Please explain.)


  1. Did you feel well prepared? (Please explain.)


  1. Did you feel behind other students academically?


  1. What do you think would have helped you make the change better? (Prompt: what kinds of support services, etc?)


  1. What was your high school experience like in general? (Prompt: Did you like/dislike it? What classes did you enjoy? Were you happy?)


  1. Was it an Aboriginal school?
    Yes
    No
    No, but there were many Aboriginal students.


  1. Were there any/many Aboriginal staff members at your high school? How did this make you feel? Please explain.


  1. Did anyone encourage you along the way?


  1. Did you feel isolated or alone ever?


  1. What challenges did you encounter? (Prompt: Did anyone discourage you?)


  1. Leaving School
    What reasons made you leave school?


  1. Did anyone try to help you from leaving?


  1. What do you think could have helped you stay in school? Why?


  1. What did you do after you left school? (Prompt: Did you work? Where did you go?)


  1. Barriers Preventing You from Going Back to School
    If you could, would you want to go back to school? Why or why not?


  1. What challenges are currently preventing you from going back to school?
    Children
    Lack of money / I have to work
    Don't want to go to a mainstream school
    Can’t find a culturally appropriate program or school in my area
    Adult education is embarrassing
    Other


  1. If these barriers did not exist, do you think you would have completed high school? Please explain.


  1. If you have children, how many do you have? How old are they?


  1. Do you believe you have equal opportunities to participate in school sports, clubs and other extra curricular activities compared to non-Aboriginals?


  1. Do you consider your way of life different from non-Aboriginals?


  1. Going back to School
    If you want to go back to school, what do you think you need in order to go back? (Check all that apply.)
    Financial aid
    Transportation
    Child care
    Culturally sensitive teachers and staff
    Culturally appropriate programs and activities
    Tutor
    Career counselor
    Other type of counselor (drug addictions, etc.)
    Translator
    Support net (Elders, parents, teachers, etc.)
    Flexible schedule (early morning, evening courses, etc.)
    Other


  1. If you checked cultural programs or activities, what would you like? (Prompt: Sweats, sunrise ceremonies, sharing circles, art, history, etc.?)


  1. What kinds of things do you think you should learn? (Aboriginal history, computers, job skills, etc.)


  1. What type of education do you need?
    Secondary School
    Upgrading
    Literacy help
    University and college access program
    Other


  1. What way(s) would you like to learn? (What would be helpful to you?) Check all that apply.
    One-on-one attention
    Hands-on learning
    Co-op or on the job training
    One course at a time
    Group environmental, team work
    Learning from Elders
    Other


  1. Would you consider going on to post-secondary studies? Why/why not?


  1. What would your dream job be?


  1. The following are main skill shortages. Would you like to pursue training in any of the following areas?
    computer and information technology
    trade skills and apprenticeships (electrician, plumbing, welders, etc.)
    healthcare (nurse, diabetes educator, etc.)
    education (teaching, education assistant, etc.)


  1. In your opinion, what would improve the education of Aboriginal and Métis students in Canada? (Check all that apply)
    More Aboriginal teachers
    Include Elders
    Culturally appropriate curriculum
    Informal/non-threatening environment
    Personal, interactive activities (sharing circles, etc.)
    One-on-one attention from teachers
    Aboriginal guidance counselors
    More field trips and hands–on learning
    Other


  1. Why?


  1. Are you satisfied with the quality of your (and/or your child’s) education? Why, or why not?


  1. Do you have any thing else you would like to add?


  1. Part Two – Demographic Survey
    The information collected below will not be used to identify you in any way. It is confidential and you may choose not to answer any questions you are not comfortable with. It will only take a few minutes. Thank you!
    Are you: (Please check the appropriate box.)
    Cree
    Ojibway
    Oji Cree
    Métis
    Other


  1. Are you?
    male
    female


  1. What age range are you in?
    Under 15
    15-20
    21-25
    26-30
    Over 30


  1. What is your mother tongue?


  1. What language do you use most often?


  1. Where were you born?


  1. What is your marital status?
    Single
    Married
    Separated
    Divorced
    Widowed
    Common Law


  1. Do you have a job?
    No
    Yes


  1. If yes, what do you do?