Chinese International Students in U.S. High Schools: Case Studies of Academic and Social Challenges
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CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN U.S. HIGH SCHOOLS: CASE STUDIES OF ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES A Dissertation by PRUDENCE LEE BROOKS Submitted to the Graduate School at Appalachian State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION December 2017 Educational Leadership Doctoral Program Reich College of Education CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN U.S. HIGH SCHOOLS: CASE STUDIES OF ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES A Dissertation by PRUDENCE LEE BROOKS December 2017 APPROVED BY: Leslie Cook, Ph.D. Chairperson, Dissertation Committee Jesse Lutabingwa, Ph.D. Member, Dissertation Committee Chuang Wang, Ph.D. Member, Dissertation Committee Audrey Dentith, Ph.D. Director, Educational Leadership Doctoral Program Max C. Poole, Ph.D. Dean, Cratis D. Williams School of Graduate Studies Copyright by Prudence Lee Brooks 2017 All Rights Reserved Abstract CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN U.S. HIGH SCHOOLS: CASE STUDIES OF ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES Prudence Lee Brooks B.A., University of North Carolina Charlotte M.A.T., University of North Carolina Charlotte Ed.S., Appalachian State University Ed.D., Appalachian State University Dissertation Committee Chairperson: Leslie Cook, Ph.D. The intent of this study is to investigate and better understand the academic and social challenges that Chinese international high school students are encountering during the acculturation process in the United States. A qualitative methodology and interpretative framework were utilized in a case study of three 9th grade Chinese students in a U.S. private high school. Methods of data collection included observations and semi-structured interviews with the participants. The findings of this research revealed a deficit in the support provided by the U.S. high school to the Chinese international students in order to overcome the students’ challenges imposed by language barriers. Additionally, the lack of understanding from the faculty and the domestic U.S. students contributed to the challenges the Chinese international students faced. Limited English language proficiency negatively impacts the Chinese international students’ social life as well as their academic performance. On a social level, the Chinese international students in this study indicated a willingness to integrate with native speakers. However, the relationship between the iv Chinese international students and the native speakers proved severely impeded by the limited English language skills the Chinese international students possessed. Academically, Chinese international students find it difficult to achieve their goals because they are simultaneously learning the English language while attempting to grasp the content of their subject matter. v Acknowledgments First and foremost, I humbly thank my dissertation chair, Dr. Leslie Cook. I am grateful for her inspiration, advice and dedication. She contributed much of her time to ensure that true learning and a quality document will result from this endeavor. She has been the torch that guided me along the way especially during the tough times in the Ed.D. pursuit. To my committee members, I can’t express enough gratitude toward them. Starting with Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa who opened the door to give me support during the early days of this path. He believed in me and in my ability to complete the journey at the very beginning of the Ed.D. program and has now seen me through to the finish. Dr. Chuang Wang generously signed on as the committee’s late addition and he often offered his insightful input and invaluable feedback efficiently. I have gained precious lessons from him. I am privileged to have had my committee’s guidance through this study. At the same time, I am especially grateful for Mr. Jerry Sain who provided me professional and knowledgeable advices even when time was of the essence. During the writing stage of this dissertation, Mr. Sain offered his editorial expertise and relentless constructive criticism have made the final draft vastly superior to the first. He has made me a better writer. I will forever be grateful for his kindness and help. My sincere thanks also go to Mr. Ari Sigal who offered me great research books and helped me to find the adequate resources which advanced my research method. I am a more observant and skilled researcher as a result. vi In addition, I offer a heartfelt thanks to each interviewee for sharing their experience with me and trusting in me. I learned more than what I am able to put on the pages of this dissertation. The shared experiences will always be remembered and treasured. I would also like to express my appreciation to the school, whose exceptionally supportive environment and helpful faculty members provided essential to my research’s success. Furthermore, my time at Appalachian State University was made enjoyable in large part due to the wonderful professors and the members of Hickory Cohort #3. I am thankful to each one of them. I am particularly indebted to Ms. Susan Musilli who kept me on the right track and helped me to solve all kinds of problems that I had. She was professional, efficient, and reassuring all the time. She is amazing! She went above and beyond, I am so touched and grateful for all she had done for me. I am using her as an example to my kids of someone giving and ready with a can-do spirit. She has played such an important part during this special journey and her help won’t be forgotten. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family. For my husband, Shane Brooks, who has been with me every step of the way and making this possible via positive expectations, patience, and love. For my daughter, Sharine, and my son, Dylan, who have been putting up with me during a time where I had spent long periods devoted to researching and writing, I thank them for their understanding. I also thank my brother, Michael Lee, who has always supported me and given me encouragement. Finally, I must acknowledge my faith, which has been my strength and shield as I moved along this path. I am truly blessed because of all the people that I mentioned above. This dissertation could not have been completed without their support. As usual, the people I have thanked are not liable for any errors that may have escaped attention. That responsibility is solely mine. vii Dedication This dissertation is a loving dedication to my guardian angel and my greatest mentor My mother – Helen Fung (馮蓓珠) I will miss you forever! viii Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................. iv Acknowledgments.................................................................................................. vi Dedication ............................................................................................................ viii List of Tables ........................................................................................................ xii List of Figures ...................................................................................................... xiii List of Abbreviations ........................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................................................................1 Statement of Problem ...................................................................................2 Purpose of Study ..........................................................................................5 Research Questions ......................................................................................6 Significance of the Topic .............................................................................6 Limitations ...................................................................................................8 Delimitations ................................................................................................9 Summary ....................................................................................................10 Key Terms ..................................................................................................12 Chapter 2: Literature Review .................................................................................13 Acculturation Theory .................................................................................14 Foundation and History of Acculturation Theory ..........................16 Major Acculturation Theorists and Their Contributions ...............18 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................21 Implication of the Theory as a Framework ....................................28 ix Chinese International High School Students .............................................30 Early and Current Research ...........................................................30 Legal and Political Perspective ......................................................33 Debate Over Chinese International High School Students ............40 Importance of International High School Students to Higher Education ..46 Conclusion .................................................................................................49 Chapter 3: Methodology ........................................................................................51 Research Design.........................................................................................51 Participants and Sampling..........................................................................52