Psychiatric participation in the Hootch case: effects on Alaska native education.

ABSTRACT

The Hootch case was a class action suit that established the right of Alaska Native students to attend secondary school in their home communities. The authors review the history of Native education, give the background of the suit, and present behavioral science data on school adjustment of Alaska Natives and American Indian students. These data, included in an amicus curiae brief, were incorporated into the court decision. The authors consider this case a positive example of psychiatric involvement in social policy matters.