Understanding Filipino Parents’ Special Education Participation Through Immigration History and Capital Theory: a Qualitative Study

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 2:15 pm - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Centering Families and Students in Inclusive Education

Abstract

Parents are expected to advocate for their children in obtaining the appropriate special education services. However, immigrant parents, including Filipino parents, face numerous challenges in navigating special education in New York City. To understand their participation, it is essential to understand their immigration experiences and contextualize them within the broader context of the city and special education. This qualitative research study conducted document reviews and interviews. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis using Bourdieu’s theory of capital. Parents perceived that they needed to become assertive, attributing this to their understanding of the “American Way” and relating it to becoming a “mature” parent. They also identified community connections and resources as essential to their participation.

Author

• Jackielyn Domingo Ruiz, New York University