Factors influencing the pursuit of educational opportunities in American Indian students.

American Indians are the most under-represented minority group across all levels of education. The present study investigates sociocultural, psychological, and nontraditional academic factors that influence American Indian students' decisions to pursue higher education (e.g., vocational training, college). Nineteen American Indians with previous academic difficulties completed several self-report measures at the beginning of an eight-week Job Corps. program. The results indicate that students who pursue educational opportunities have a more realistic self-appraisal of their academic abilities and are supported by others (e.g., family, mentors) in their academic pursuits. A hypothesized link between self-appraisal and support suggests that the availability of a mentor and/or family support is crucial in American Indian students' decision to pursue educational opportunities.