Beyond a Differential: An Inquiry into Southern Paiute Indian Experience with Public Schools

Abstract

This paper examines the hypothesis that public school education increases the employability and income of Southern Paiute Indians, a minority group in southwestern Utah. Because they are a small group and the population is scattered over a large area, their educational problems are not highly visible. But the compiled statistics show that they have far fewer years of schooling than the general population. Alternate educational facilities available to Paiutes are considered. Further, there is shown to be no relationship between years of schooling and earnings. The problems facing Paiutes today are seen to be not restricted to schools, nor can the solution be achieved by education alone. Rather, the problem has roots in the larger social context of the region, and the solution must involve the entire social system.