Is there a problem here? The history of Micronesian immigration and its affect on the experience of Micronesian children in Hawaii's schools

Abstract

This thesis is intended to research and analyze the situation between Micronesian immigrant children attending public elementary school in Hawaiʻi, their families and their educators. Significant problems have arisen at schools as greater numbers of Micronesian children enter Hawaii's schools and educators are unable to communicate with the families of children having academic difficulty. I aim to identify the nature of the problem from the perspective of both the educators and the Micronesians and search for solutions. The research discusses the history of Micronesia and how the various colonial powers who have ruled the region have affected Micronesians and their relationship to education. Also studied are comparisons to other immigrant populations in the United States and throughout the Pacific and their experiences and difficulties in adapting to new educational systems and cultures as well as a case study of a local elementary school and interviews with both the educators and the Micronesian families involved. Finally educational literature and current philosophies on multicultural education offer solutions that tie in with research on Pacific Islander immigrant populations.