Lao Families' Educational Engagement: How Lao Parents and Family Members Support Their Children

• In Event: 29.075 - Exploring Disaggregation With the Asian Pacific American Community

Abstract

This paper aims to encourage a broader dialogue about how Lao immigrant parents from low socio-economic environment are able to support their children’s development. It discusses how despite the challenges that immigrant Lao parents face daily (i.e., lack of English proficiency, mental health issues, and lack of familiarity with U.S. schools), they are invested in their children and support their learning. My discussion will complicate the extant literature on Southeast Asian American and parent engagement by highlighting the mechanisms through which current parent involvement strategies are not responsive to the Lao community. We need to do a better job of training both Lao parents and school members to collaborate together to support Lao American students.

Author

• Phitsamay Sychitkokhong Uy, University of Massachusetts - Lowell