HAITIAN CREOLE STUDENTS IN AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Experiences of Haitian Creole Students in American Public Schools

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

ABSTRACT

In this study we try to explore the experience of international students in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on Haitian Creole Students and its relation with American public school. The sample population belongs to Carver High School that is located on a beautiful, spacious campus that is surrounded by tall pine trees, an adjacent privately owned riding academy, tennis court, football, baseball, softball, and soccer field. The school recently received grant money for a new track. The purpose of this study is to achieve insight into the challenges that the Haitian Creole students face in attending American public schools. The second purpose is to provide insight into how teachers understand the culture of Haitian students, as well as, the challenges they face in educating this immigrant population. The research also analyzes many aspects of SES (socioeconomic Status) factors impacted on Haitian Creole Students and tries to gauge its effect in foreign country. Through this framework, I will achieve insight into the experiences and interactions of immigrant students and teachers in American public schools. Secondly, I will examine issues of diversity and cultural understanding in educating immigrant students, and to also see how one school performs against mandated state performance assessments and mandated state policies. Finally the research describes various factors which are responsible for the students to study abroad leaving behind their families at Haiti and tries to describe the overall effect of cultural, language differences on Haitian Creole Students. Many adult students return to an environment that they believe they know from earlier experiences; for many of them, their years as undergraduates may mark some of the happiest of their lives. Returning to education after many years can lead to feelings of confusion, disappointment and disbelief. Far from being a familiar environment, the university or the business school is experienced as an environment at odds with the earlier images, idealized or not, resulting in confusion and possible disappointment. In spite of such similarities, learning shock cannot be seen simply as a special case of culture shock and reverse culture shock.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS2

ABSTRACT3

CHAPTER I: PURPOSE AND RATIONALE6

Introduction6

Purpose and Rationale13

Summary16

CHAPTER II: CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK18

CHAPTER III: RELATED LITERATURE21

CHAPTER IV: INTRODUCTION TO CASE STUDY80

CHAPTER VINTRODUCTION TO CASE: MELANIE91

CHAPTER VI: INTRODUCTION TO CASE: SOLONGE133

CHAPTER VII: INTRODUCTION TO CASE: NADEGE164

CHAPTER VIII: INTRODUCTION TO CASE: MR. FONSWORTH HARMON188

CHAPTER IX: INTRODUCTION TO CASE: MR. FRANCOISE DELADIER222

CHAPTER X: CROSS CASE ANALYSIS256

CHAPTER XI: FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS296

EPILOGUE321

REFERENCES323

APPENDIX349

METHODOLOGY349

METHODS349

PROCEDURES350

CHAPTER I: PURPOSE AND RATIONALE

Introduction

Haitian Creole is used widely among Haitians who have relocated to other countries, particularly the United States and Canada. Some of the larger Creole-speaking populations are found in Montreal, Quebec (where French is the official language), New York City, Boston, and Central and South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm ...