Man to get a positive story printed on MWMS is like pulling teeth!

[Desert Dweller]

You're right about the exceptions in the Ak Chin - or any group for that matter.  The problem that I see is if you guarantee people a mediocre existence with zero effort, a large group is going to subscribe to that offer.  Take that along with the fact that children learn by example and we have the same problem perpetuating itself throughout the generations.  The only place that I can see the cycle being broken is in education.

Demographics have always been a problem in public education.  In the south, they tried to solve the problem with busing.  That was probably one of the most failed social experiments of the 20th century even though it was well intended.  Kids being bussed felt like cattle.  Schools receiving kids from outside their community felt invaded.  The time spent getting kids from one area to another was time that should have been spent educating. 

[mallardisme]

MerryG,
I won't quote that very long paragraph. I will just say that you are on the spot correct.

My mom and Starla's mom.... and 2 generations back on both sides, have been teachers at schools.

Parental involvement is what makes things work. (Or not)

Demographics are fun stats. I have seen a lot of interesting things out here. One of my favorites was the 2 times I saw Maricopa and Ak-Chin City Council members together. Many of these kids grew up together and went to the same schools. (oops.. School-there was one for elementary and one for high school)

The real issue we have here is that Maricopa became big, really quick. Nobody stopped to think about the kids involved. We opened 3 elementery schools in one year here and had no idea how to realistically staff them or budget them. (I have photos)

...And then they, and many others, went to a middle school.