Aboriginal Education, notably the inclusion of Aboriginal content in curricula and programs and the success of Aboriginal students, has received focused attention across Canada in recent years.  Substantial efforts have been undertaken at the federal and provincial levels to address the differences in rates of achievement by Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal Youth (e.g. Kroes, 2008; Levin, 2009).

Historically, there have been gaps in measured outcomes between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal Peoples of all ages, particularly in literacy rates (Statistics Canada, 2005), and enrollment to post‐secondary education (Statistics Canada, 2010a).  Although enrollment to post-secondary education by Aboriginal Peoples is increasing, it is still below the rates of non-Aboriginal Peoples.  Across Canada rates of Aboriginal Peoples completing high school lag far behind non‐Aboriginal Peoples.

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION RATES FOR YOUTH

When examining high school completion rates for youth ages 20 to 24, the earliest age group where all students could be expected to have completed high school, the discrepancies are undeniable.

According to Statistics Canada 2006 census data, 40% of Aboriginal Peoples aged 20 to 24 did not have a high‐school diploma, compared to 13% among non‐Aboriginal Peoples.  The rate of non-completion is even higher for on‐reserve Aboriginal Peoples (61% had not completed high school) and for Inuit Peoples living in rural or remote communities (68% had not completed high school).

Gender differences on the 2006 census are also evident, as 43% percent of male Aboriginal Peoples in Canada between the ages of 20 and 24 had not completed high school, compared to 37% of female Aboriginal Peoples of the same age group (Statistics Canada, 2010a).

Reference:

Congress of Aboriginal Peoples. (2010). Staying in School: Engaging Aboriginal Students . Retrieved November 23, 2013, from http://www.abo-peoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Stay-In-School-LR.pdf