ED396014 UD030954
Title: A Guide to Communicating with Asian American Families. For
Parents/about Parents.
Author(s): Schwartz, Wendy
Author Affiliation: ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, New York,
NY.(BBB00899)
Pages: 5
Publication Date: 1995
Notes: Based on "Beyond Culture: Communicating with Asian American
Children and Families," a digest published by the ERIC Clearinghouse
on Urban Education. For
related documents, see UD 030 946-958.
Sponsoring Agency: Office of Educational Research and Improvement
(ED), Washington, DC. (EDD00036)
Contract No: RR93002016
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Guides--Non-classroom (055); ERIC product (071)
Geographic Source: U.S.; New York
Journal Announcement: RIEOCT1996
The enrollment
of Asian and Pacific Islander (API) students is increasing rapidly,
so it is important for school personnel and community members to
learn to communicate with API families. This guide describes how
the backgrounds and cultures of the various API groups affect their
attitudes and behavior. The three general
ethnicities within the API community are Pacific Islanders, Southeast
Asians, and East Asians. It is important not to generalize an understanding
of one group to another. In general, however, APIs see teachers
as professionals with authority over their children's schooling.
They believe that parents should not interfere and may
regard teachers who seek parent participation as incompetent. East
Asians in particular value formal education and may place high expectations
on their children.
Language may be a barrier to many API children, and cultures pose
many opportunities for misunderstanding. Good communication depends
on respect for API cultural
beliefs, communication in person rather than in writing, clear communication
of such details as meeting times, and maintaining a professional's
role. Explaining aspects
of American culture, especially that parent participation is a tradition
in American schools, can be very helpful. To avoid putting unnecessary
pressure on API students,
it is important to reject the stereotype that most Asian students
are gifted and that APIs are generally docile. School personnel
and community leaders should work with
local API organizations to enhance communication. (SLD)
Descriptors: *Asian Americans; Communication Skills; *Communication
(Thought Transfer); *Cultural Awareness; Cultural Differences; Elementary
Secondary Education; Multicultural Education; *Pacific Americans;
Parent Attitudes; Parent Participation; *Parent Role; Parent School
Relationship; Student Attitudes;
*Student Characteristics; Teacher Role; Teaching Methods
Identifiers: Respect
