of culture and language to illuminate how limited standardized practices and measures might be to summarize the skills of many children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds". She states that total "indoctrination to a new culture" is not the answer to a healthy education. Jordan argues that barriers must be identified to be overcome and uses the compulsory attendance law of 1898 as an example of overlooking cultural boundaries. "Guided by the belief that American Indians should be assimilated into mainstream society", Congress put into effect this law which would give the federal government the power to place American Indian children in boarding schools, "by force" if necessary. Family values In March 1974, the Department of Labor issued the results of their research concerning Native youth integrating American culture into their lives after leaving the reservation for educational and occupational pursuits. Research was done to determine the "occupational adjustment" of American Indian youth coming from reservations and seeking education away from home. The study found that "the family is perhaps the most important aspect of the traditional Indian's life". Cultural values of Native American individuals are described as, "The traditional Indian's view of the world and his own place in it is one of living in harmony with nature". In also studying the parents of the children observed, "they distrust the white man as one who wants to destroy their culture, and are likely to see the problems of the Indians as having been created by the white man". In response to this research, a counselor for a youth organization said, "We want to be assured that we are not misused at all, but that the project will be used in a good way for the benefit of our people". Natives did not welcome the research because "there is very little history of community involvement" and trying to get Native youths who were taught early to be community-oriented is a difficult process in this aspect. Educational interests In June 2004, 90% of high school age natives attended public school, although the dropout rate was the highest of any minority. Beyond the fourth grade, academic performance drops quickly. A survey of schools indicates the reasoning behind the dropouts: Student-teacher relationships (teachers do not care about me – 37%; teachers do not provide enough assistance – 39%; disagreements with teacher – 33%) Content of schooling (school is not important to what I