HAGWONS AND THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA’S GROWING KOREAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY by KEISHA J. NALTY (Under the Direction of Diane Napier) ABSTRACT For many years, there have been a growing number of ethnic supplemental education programs in Koreatown, which may positively impact the college attendance and success of Korean children, even those who may not have access to high-quality urban public education and whose parents struggle to survive economically. This study explored the nature of the educational and cultural experiences of Korean American students in supplemental education programs that serve as educational and cultural institutions as well as local equivalents to hagwons and are transplanted from the home country of South Korea. Such programs could potentially set Korean American students on a better course of survival and success compared to other minority students while creating extremely successful co-ethnic networks and similar strategies could be used in a variety of communities throughout the Untied States. Though designed separately, the key aspects of such initiatives create a promising supplemental system that can be useful for other ethnic minorities throughout the country. INDEX WORDS: South Korea, Education; Supplemental Education, Language Acquisition, Entrance Examinations, Hagwon HAGWONS AND THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA’S GROWING KOREAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY by KEISHA J. NALTY B.A.,The University of Florida, 2000 M.Ed., The University of Georgia, 2001 A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of The University of Georgia in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY ATHENS, GEORGIA 2008 © 2008 Keisha J. Nalty All Rights Reserved HAGWONS AND THEIR SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GEORGIA’S GROWING KOREAN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY by KEISHA J. NALTY Major Professor: Diane Napier Committee: Derrick Alridge Jo Blase Myra Womble Electronic Version Approved: Maureen Grasso Dean of the Graduate School The University of Georgia December 2008 iv DEDICATION For my dad, Alfred George Nalty, who has been my inspiration from the beginning. His strength, determination, and wherewithal have provided me with the ability to take on this challenge as well as the tenacity to complete it. This dissertation is dedicated to the man who always had the answers (as far as I knew) but more importantly, was always willing to find out (for me) when he was not sure. He is my hero and my angel. I did it on September 14, 2008 because of you. I dedicate this process to my mother, Merna Nalty, who nurtured me through some of its most trying times with love, patience, strength, and support. I love you both endlessly! v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have to thank God for providing me with the drive and the strength to successfully complete this academic challenge. To everyone who has assisted me in completing this portion of my academic career by sharing time, opinions, and listening when I needed it most, thank you. I am blessed to have come this far and I know I could not have completed this without the support of those around me. To Dr. Diane Napier, the chair of my committee, for her guidance, patience, and time throughout my dissertation process. To my dissertation committee, Dr. Derrick Alridge, Dr. Jo Blasé, and Dr. Myra Womble, for their assistance and willingness to serve on this committee. Thank you for your flexibility and support. To everyone who read and provided feedback, I am incredibly grateful (Geri). I thank all the people who listened when I needed it most (Natalie). I appreciate those who took the time to make me laugh when I was stressed (Scott). I am blessed to have come this far and I know I could not have completed this without all of your support. Words will never be able to explain the feeling of triumph that I am experiencing as I close the door on this chapter of my life. However, I look forward to the new opportunities that await me on the other side of this experience. I am living our dream and it has all been worth it! vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.............................................................................................................v LIST OF TABLES...........................................................................................................................x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................................1 The Research Problem...............................................................................................3 Statement of the Problem ..........................................................................................3 Background to the Research Problem .......................................................................4 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................12 Research Questions .................................................................................................12 Rationale of the Study .............................................................................................13 Definitions of Terms ...............................................................................................15 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................17 Dissertation Overview.............................................................................................19 2 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE .............................................................................21 Historical Background of South Korea ...................................................................21 Historical Development of Education in South Korea............................................23 The Development of Contemporary Education in South Korea .............................25 Supplemental Education Programs in the Untied States.........................................37 vii The Achievement Gap in American Public Schools among Minority Students .....51 Asian Americans: The Model Minority ..................................................................55 Korean Americans and Supplemental Education Programs....................................65 Summary .................................................................................................................74 3 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................76 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................76 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................76 Research Questions .................................................................................................77 Research Design......................................................................................................78 Theoretical Perspective ...........................................................................................79 Methodology ...........................................................................................................83 Setting......................................................................................................................87 Participant Sampling ...............................................................................................94 Data Management Procedures.................................................................................96 Data Sources............................................................................................................96 Data Collection Procedures.....................................................................................97 Data Analysis Procedures......................................................................................102 Roles of the Researcher, Biases, Limitations ........................................................112 Ethical Considerations...........................................................................................116 Summary ...............................................................................................................116 4 SOUTH KOREA: HOME COUNTRY EDUCATIONAL CONTEXT....................118 South Korea’s Education System..........................................................................119 Minjok: An Exceptional Academy........................................................................126 viii Characteristics and Features of Korean Hagwons.................................................140 5 A KOREAN SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IN GEORGIA..........153 JAE Supplemental Program ..................................................................................153 JAE Summer Enrichment Program .......................................................................162 Characteristics of the Teachers, Parents, and Students .........................................165 Role of Supplemental Education Programs in the Korean Immigrant Community..........................................................................................................178 The Perspectives of Students, Teachers, and Korean American Parents Involved in Supplemental Education in Gwinnett County..................................194 Summary ...............................................................................................................231