The role of significant others in enhancing the educational outcomes and aspirations of indigenous/Aboriginal students

This article details the role of significant others in addressing the educational outcomes and aspirations of Indigenous students. Specifically, it examines the impact of parents/caregivers, the influence of teachers, the contribution of good relationships in the school setting, and the nature of effective schools that are an important context in which significant others yield their influence. Research shows that parents/caregivers have a significant influence on Indigenous students' academic engagement, and given this, it is important to raise their awareness of their child's progress and their contribuion to that progress, their understanding of the educational system more generally, and to enhance links between school and the home. The role of teachers is also critical both in terms of enhancing Indigenous students' sense of belonging at the school and also in terms of increasing Indigenous students' academic engagement. Characteristics of particularly effective teachers include respect for students' Aboriginality, warmth, positive attitudes towards the student, and a willingness to link with and learn from the Indigenous community. The issue of good relationships emerges frequently in the Indigenous literature and it is important that Aboriginal students connect effectively with the school, teachers, and pedagogy in the classroom. Importantly, positive school-home links, quality teaching, and good relationships are all markedly enhanced when they are located within the context of an effective school and school community.