Laotian American Educational Experiences: An Exploratory Study
The purpose of this research is to approach an understanding of the educational experiences of Laotian Americans. A group interview involving three young adults self-identified as Laotian American was conducted. The results cannot be used to generalize beyond this sample; however, they do illuminate experiences common to a significant group of students that require attention. The findings indicate that while Laotian American education has been primarily viewed through the model minority myth and ideological whitening/blackening, the relationship between educational and ethnic cultures is shaped by immigration, race, class, and gender. Laotian American students face structural obstacles to educational achievement, yet their experiences vary and self-defined concepts of education evolve as a result of changing life experiences and exposure to the system of power at play in the United States. The researcher concludes that this topic is relevant to an understanding of American education and democracy, and requires further investigation.
School:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department:
History
Research Advisor:
Yoon Pak
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Policy Studies
Year of Publication:
2005