In Search of the Unseen: Exploring Chinese Parents' Perceptions of U.S. Schools

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Nine
  In Roundtable Session: Roundtable Two: Critical Perspectives on Model Minority, Global Experiences, and Identities (Table 18)

Abstract

U.S. teachers frequently lack knowledge of the complex and unique features of varied Asian cultures because these topics have not appeared in the U.S. school curriculum. Current events have made this lack of knowledge dangerously apparent, and the stories of racism and classroom trauma shared by Asian American students reflect the harm, intentional or not, that occurs when teachers lack cultural knowledge. We surveyed 73 Chinese/Chinese-American parents to explore their perspectives on their children’s experiences in U.S. schools. Results indicated that the resources and materials about the Chinese language and culture are inequitably distributed at schools across the nation. What’s more, Chinese parents are seldom invited to schools to share their insider knowledge of Chinese culture.

Authors

• Shuling Yang, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• Natalia A. Ward, East Tennessee State University
  Presenting Author

• H. Emily Hayden, Strategic Education Research Partnership
  Presenting Author