Lakeland Union High School. Image courtesy: Erin Gottsacker/WXPR
MINOCQUA, WI (WSAU-WXPR) – Lakeland Union High School is partnering with University of Wisconsin – Madison researchers to better support indigenous students.
The school ranked among the highest in the state for referring indigenous students to police just four years ago, according to an analysis by the Center for Public Integrity. Though only 20 percent of the school’s student body is indigenous, 40 to 50 percent of police referrals and disciplinary actions were for indigenous students.
The collaboration with UW researchers is trying to change that, says assistant principal Levi Massey. “As we looked at that process it was like, what are the reasons, what are the root causes as to why that happens? Some of the things are within our locus of control, some are not. So as we work with UW-Madison crew we’re finding out the things we have the ability to impact.”
That includes things like fostering a more welcoming and inclusive learning environment, creating a cohesive class structure across subject areas, and doing more outreach to the tribal community.
Massey says he hopes the efforts are effective, but for now, it’s difficult to measure. “We’re putting these measures in place to hopefully see results in the future. I give the analogy, if I bought a brand new truck you can see it, but if the goal is to have more joy, that takes more time.”
Massey says bringing about cultural change can be slow, but the results are worthwhile. He hopes the research will set a standard that schools across the country can emulate.
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