Examining the Decolonial Potential of Family and Community Engagement in Hawai‘i

• In Event: Considerations for Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Families in Family, School, Community Partnerships

Abstract

Using an Indigenous research and multi-case study design, this study examined the family and community engagement experiences and practices at three Hawaiʻi public schools. Because of the limitations and consequences of conventional engagement models with diverse families and communities, Culturally Sustaining Indigenous Family Engagement and Equitable Community-School Collaborations frameworks were employed to bring a decolonial lens to family engagement practices in diverse, Indigenous places. Findings highlight the decolonial potential of individual practices and ideas that align with Indigenous and equitable engagement. Building upon individual-level awareness and actions aligned with equitable engagement to develop systemic planning and practice can facilitate a shift of school engagement approaches to create new possibilities of equitable and decolonial family, school, and community partnerships.

Author

• Joan Umiokalani Jensen, 10 Heavens LLC