In the United States, Hmong Americans rank low in academic performance and are among the poorest ethnic groups (Lor, 2017; Ngo & Lee, 2007; S. Xiong & Lam, 2013; C. Y. Vang, 2012). The lack of success in education has contributed to their underrepresentation in graduate school (Budiman, 2021; Ngo & Lee, 2007; S. Xiong & Lam, 2013).…

This qualitative research utilized the descriptive case study approach to examine the lived experiences of twelve 1.5- or 2.0-generation Hmong American women who occupy leadership positions in public schools (K-12) and colleges (community colleges, state colleges, and universities) in California. It delved into their gendered, racial,…

This study draws on racial formation theory and theories of racialized masculinities to situate how two early-career male teachers of color from refugee backgrounds (Hmong and Somali) have made sense of conflicting gendered and racialized expectations in predominantly white and feminized professional spaces. Issues of intersectionality, power, and…

In this community-based participatory research article the authors bring attention to the Hmong Archives, a community asset in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The authors describe the Hmong Archives and how it has been used by K-12 teachers and college professors in a culturally sustaining manner. The authors argue that by focusing on the Hmong population,…

Scholars who study Southeast Asian American (SEAA) communities are in consensus that this group's realities diverge from their Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) counterparts. In fact, nearly four decades after large-scale immigration as political refugees from Southeast Asia (SEA), this population composed of Cambodians, Hmong, Laotians,…

This study reviews empirical data from the U.S. Census, American Community Survey (ACS) and academic journals to explore K-12 and higher educational outcomes pertaining to Southeast Asian American (SEAA) males. We argue that the empirical dismissal of SEAA males in social science research reinforces a longstanding agenda of structural neglect and…

In the United States, English is not the official language but the dominant one. But for many students, the dominance of English instruction has come at the expense of losing their first language. For much of our history of schooling in the United States, students have been forced to leave their heritage or home languages at the door when they…

Drawing upon the expectancy violation-realignment theory of autonomy development, this qualitative study examined African American and Hmong adolescent autonomy-seeking behaviors and parent-child communication about activities and relationships with peers. Twenty-two African American and 11 Hmong adolescents in grades 6-12 and 14 African American…

Today's classroom is a rainbow of cultures, traditions, and languages. In Hmong culture, parents think of a teacher as an authority figure who understands student needs, knows what would help students learn to excel academically, and understands how to teach students to become productive individuals. In this article, the author presents some…

This book examines the Mong (Hmong) American educational experience up to 1997, and can be used as a textbook for courses in Southeast Asian history and culture, comparative education, or Mong ethnic studies. Of particular interest is Chapter 6 which addresses the implications of Mong language for mainstream teachers of Mong students and provides…

This book is designed as a guide for teaching students about Hmong culture while building appreciation of worldwide cultural diversity. After providing an overview of the distinct history and customs of the Hmong, co-author Dia Cha shares her experiences growing up in Laotian villages, escaping from communist soldiers, living in refugee camps in…

Notes that researching life stories can shape students' sense of direction and purpose both within and beyond the classroom. Considers how the value of researching life stories increases as students move beyond the personal to the cross-generational significance of what they are investigating. Lists 32 picture books and information books on Hmong…

The relationship between Hmong refugees, immigration policies, and the United States educational system is examined. First, the immigration process and policy development are discussed. Federal intentions toward the Hmong refugees and the educational reality are then contrasted, and the reasons for policy failure are examined. It is contended that…

The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) provides a comprehensive measure of intelligence, whereas the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (K-BIT) provides a quick measure of intelligence, requiring less than 30 minutes to administer. Since both tests are frequently used in clinical settings and in schools for initial…

This ethnographic study explored Hmong cultural and educational values. The interview data revealed some Hmong values similar to mainstream American values such as a respect for hard work; a concern about personal honor; and honesty. Some values, however, were in conflict with dominant American values such as: a strong clan-oriented society; a…