“This pattern raises questions about whether these students actually had disabilities, or whether SIFE are routinely misclassified due to their low literacy levels and the apparent lack of alternatives for intensive literacy support” (Advocates for Children,2010,p. 27).

This study on SIFE students was very striking. I couldn’t believe the fate of many of these students and the lack of services and attention they received, despite the common knowledge of their background and hardships in and out of school. In my opinion, SIFE is yet another example of good intentions gone wrong in public education. The idea that SIFE students are “misclassified” in special education either based on their low English proficiency and/or as the only means for individualized services, highlights a flaw in public education. Continue reading SIFE is not SAFE →

The first time I went to Japan was through a study abroad program. Once stripped of the context of being in America, I was able to experience how important that context could be in creating stereotypes. It was not just the native Japanese people that mislabelled me, but fellow study abroad attendants from around the globe. “But where are you from, really?” To this, I always have the same answer: “I am American”.

In fact, research suggests that many Asian American students view white people as the only real or authentic Americans.

–Model Minorities and Perpetual Foreigners, pg77

Continue reading Made in America →

A close examination of this stereotype (model minority), however, reveals its damaging effects both for Asian Americans and for other people of color. First, the stereotype denies the face that some Asian Americans continue to struggle against structural and other barriers. Second, it has been used as a political weapon against other marginalized groups of color. – Lee

Seeing many private after-school centers in my community where I live in surrounding area of Brooklyn China town reveals that academic performance plays a critical role within the ethnicity. Many studies show that East Asian Americans outperform non-Hispanic whites, blacks, and Hispanics by a significantly large margin. For example, Chinese-Americans make up a high percentage of high school valedictorians and academic decathlon winners, as well as enrollment into prestigious universities. However, there are some costs behind the academic successes. Continue reading Costs Behind Model Minority →

“When the reflected image is generally positive , the individual (adult or child) will be able to a feel that she is worthwhile and competent. When the reflection is generally negative, it is extremely difficult to maintain a coherent sense of self-worth.”

Doucet, F., & Suarez-Orozco, C. (2006) Ethnic identity and schooling: The experience of Haitian immigrant youth. (pp. 168) Continue reading Representations in the classroom →