Understanding Belonging and Academic Struggles Among Micronesian Students in Oregon

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 3:45 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Cultivating Global Citizens: Agency and Belonging in World Education

Abstract

This study investigates how school belonging, family support, and teacher trust relate to perceived academic success among Micronesian adolescents in Portland, Oregon. Despite Oregon’s NHPI Student Success Plan (HB 3144, 2023), Micronesian students remain underserved. Their experiences are often obscured by the aggregation of Pacific Islander data with Asian Americans, masking disparities in achievement and support (U.S. Department of Education, 2016; Oregon Department of Education, 2023). Using a descriptive, quantitative design, this research centers the voices of Micronesian youth and examines how relational and contextual factors shape academic outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of culturally responsive approaches that foster belonging, engage families, and build teacher trust as critical components for advancing equity for Micronesian students.

Author

• Kaeleen Anne Kirkpatrick, University of Portland