Donate
Give Monthly
Give Today
Join
Join National PTA
Join Local PTA
Welcome,
!
Sign Out
Sign In
Run Your PTA
Find My PTA
Lead a PTA Virtually
State Resource Bank
Local Leader Kit
PTSA Resources
Proposed Dues Rate
Membership Tools
Membership Campaign
Reasons YOU Belong
Recruitment Tools
Micro-Learning Videos
Membership Mania
Zooming into Membership
10 PTA Membership Myths and Truths
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LGBTQ Community Inclusivity in PTA
Grant & Award Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award
How We PTA
Advocacy
Building a Community
Access to Opportunities
Membership Drives and School Community Support
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Resources for Distance Teaching and Learning
Bridging the Digital Divide
Addressing Food Insecurity
Marketplace
Member Offers
Fundraisers
Supporting Students
Authors and Speakers
Resources for Families
Thrive Learning Community
Spanish Resources
Recursos en Español
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
Standard 1: Welcome All Families
Standard 2: Communicate Effectively
Standard 3: Support Student Success
Standard 4: Speak Up for Every Child
Standard 5: Share Power
Standard 6: Collaborate with Community
One Voice Blog
Subscribe to eNewsletters
PTA Brand Guidelines
Advocacy
Take Action
Write Your Officials
Find Officials
Sign Up for Alerts
Register to Vote
Federal Legislation
Public Policy Priorities
Key Legislation
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Letters to Policymakers
Policy Coalitions
PTA's Positions
Position Statements
Resolutions
Private School Vouchers and School Choice
Standards and Assessments
Legislative Conference
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Training
Election Guides
PTA's CCR Initiative
Advocacy Toolkit
Resolutions Toolkit
Family Resources
Parent Toolkit
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources
Notes from the Backpack Podcast
Our Children Magazine
Parents' Guide to Student Success
Family Guides
Center for Family Engagement
College and Career Readiness
Components of CCR
College Readiness Resources
Career Readiness Resources
Assessments and Standards
State Assessment Guides
State Assessment Resources
Health
Flu Prevention
Hunger
Safe Drinking Water
Obesity Prevention
Chronic Conditions
Substance Misuse
Emotional Health
Discussing Difficult Situations With Your Children
Safety
Digital Safety
Injury Prevention and Sports Safety
School Safety
Gun Violence Prevention
Teen Driver Safety
Family Riding Safety
Special Education Toolkit
Getting Started
From Pre-K to Graduation and Beyond
Understanding Federal Disability and Special Needs Policy
A Parent's Dictionary
Guide to Special Education: Helpful Acronyms
Special Education Toolkit: Resources
Summer Learning
Events
Event Calendar
Day of Service
125th Anniversary
Back to School with PTA
Plan Your School Year
Engage Your Community
Support for Families
Convention Dates
Annual Convention
Register Now
Schedule
Voting and Elections
Frequently Asked Questions
Expectations of Civility
Legislative Conference
Schedule
Advocacy Awards
Resources
Safer Internet Day
Take Your Family to School Week
Teacher Appreciation Week
Learning Labs
Programs
School of Excellence
Excellence Library
Reflections
Start Your Program
ArtsEd Resources
Timeline
Awards
Family Reading Experience
Diversity in Literature
STEM + Families
STEM at Home Activities
Science Festivals
Engineering: Propelling Our World
STEM Resources
About STEM + Families
PTA Connected
Be Internet Awesome
Digital Families
The Smart Talk
Access
Create with Kindness
Build Up and Belong
Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Bodies
Healthy Minds
Healthy Earth
About PTA
Why Join PTA?
Join
Join National PTA
Join Your Local PTA
Start a PTA
Presence of PTA
Mission Statement
History
Legacy Room
PTA vs. Unaffiliated Parent Groups
Member Benefits
Member Offers
Why Parents Need PTA
Why Schools Need PTA
Why Teachers Need PTA
Donate
Leave a Legacy
Newsroom
Press Releases
Governance
Bylaws
Standards of Affiliation
Strategic Plan
Reports & Financials
Honor Roll of Donors
Leadership
Board of Directors
Committees
Staff
Past National PTA Presidents
State Offices & Presidents
Become a National PTA Leader
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Pacific Islander American Children and Families
In This Section
Run Your PTA
Find My PTA
Lead a PTA Virtually
State Resource Bank
Local Leader Kit
PTSA Resources
Proposed Dues Rate
Membership Tools
Membership Campaign
Reasons YOU Belong
Recruitment Tools
Micro-Learning Videos
Membership Mania
Zooming into Membership
10 PTA Membership Myths and Truths
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
LGBTQ Community Inclusivity in PTA
Grant & Award Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Jan Harp Domene Diversity and Inclusion Award
How We PTA
Advocacy
Building a Community
Access to Opportunities
Membership Drives and School Community Support
Social and Emotional Well-Being
Resources for Distance Teaching and Learning
Bridging the Digital Divide
Addressing Food Insecurity
Marketplace
Member Offers
Fundraisers
Supporting Students
Authors and Speakers
Resources for Families
Thrive Learning Community
Spanish Resources
Recursos en Español
National Standards for Family-School Partnerships
Standard 1: Welcome All Families
Standard 2: Communicate Effectively
Standard 3: Support Student Success
Standard 4: Speak Up for Every Child
Standard 5: Share Power
Standard 6: Collaborate with Community
One Voice Blog
Subscribe to eNewsletters
PTA Brand Guidelines
Advocacy
Take Action
Write Your Officials
Find Officials
Sign Up for Alerts
Register to Vote
Federal Legislation
Public Policy Priorities
Family Engagement in Education
Federal Investments in Education
Gun Safety and Violence Prevention
Child Nutrition
Safe, Supportive and Inclusive Schools
Investing in School Infrastructure
Key Legislation
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
State and Local Plans
Education Data
Family Engagement
Letters to Policymakers on ESEA/ESSA
Press Releases and Articles on ESEA/ESSA
Additional Resources on ESEA/ESSA
Overview
Letters to Policymakers
2022 Letters to Policymakers
2021 Letters to Policymakers
2020 Letters to Policymakers
2019 Letters to Policymakers
2018 Letters to Policymakers
2017 Letters to Policymakers
2016 Letters to Policymakers
2015 Letters to Policymakers
2014 Letters to Policymakers
2013 Letters to Policymakers
Policy Coalitions
PTA's Positions
Position Statements
Resolutions
Approved Convention Resolutions
2022 Approved Resolutions
2021 Approved Resolutions
2019 Approved Resolutions
2018 Approved Resolutions
2017 Approved Resolutions
2016 Approved Resolutions
2015 Approved Resolutions
2014 Approved Resolutions
2013 Approved Resolutions
2012 Approved Resolutions
2011 Approved Resolutions
2010 Approved Resolutions
2009 Approved Resolutions
2008 Approved Resolutions
Private School Vouchers and School Choice
Standards and Assessments
Legislative Conference
Advocacy Resources
Advocacy Training
Election Guides
PTA's CCR Initiative
CCRI Partners
CCR Member Education Event Toolkit
Parent Assessment Event Toolkit
Advocacy Toolkit
How a Bill Becomes a Law
The Federal Appropriations and Budget Process
Corresponding with Members of Congress
Hosting a Site Visit for a Decisionmaker
Conducting Meetings with a Decisionmaker
Where Social Media and PTA Advocacy Collide
Working with the Media
Preparing Testimony
Advocacy Training - Full Training Manual
Building and Joining Coalitions
Resolutions Toolkit
Background on Resolution Criteria
Family Resources
Parent Toolkit
COVID-19 (Coronavirus) PTA Resources
Notes from the Backpack Podcast
Our Children Magazine
Parents' Guide to Student Success
Family Guides
Center for Family Engagement
College and Career Readiness
Components of CCR
College Readiness Resources
Career Readiness Resources
Assessments and Standards
State Assessment Guides
State Assessment Resources
Health
Flu Prevention
Hunger
Safe Drinking Water
Obesity Prevention
Promote Healthy Eating
Encourage Physical Activity
Chronic Conditions
Substance Misuse
Emotional Health
Discussing Difficult Situations With Your Children
Safety
Digital Safety
Injury Prevention and Sports Safety
School Safety
Checklist to Help Prevent Violence in Schools
Gun Violence Prevention
Teen Driver Safety
Family Riding Safety
Special Education Toolkit
Getting Started
From Pre-K to Graduation and Beyond
Understanding Federal Disability and Special Needs Policy
A Parent's Dictionary
Guide to Special Education: Helpful Acronyms
Special Education Toolkit: Resources
Summer Learning
Events
Event Calendar
Day of Service
125th Anniversary
Back to School with PTA
Plan Your School Year
Engage Your Community
Support for Families
Convention Dates
Annual Convention
Register Now
Schedule
Voting and Elections
Frequently Asked Questions
Expectations of Civility
Legislative Conference
Schedule
Advocacy Awards
2022 Advocacy Award Winners
Resources
Safer Internet Day
Take Your Family to School Week
Teacher Appreciation Week
Learning Labs
Programs
School of Excellence
Excellence Library
Reflections
Start Your Program
ArtsEd Resources
Timeline
Awards
Family Reading Experience
Diversity in Literature
STEM + Families
STEM at Home Activities
Science Festivals
Engineering: Propelling Our World
STEM Resources
About STEM + Families
PTA Connected
Be Internet Awesome
Digital Families
The Smart Talk
Access
Create with Kindness
Build Up and Belong
Healthy Lifestyles
Healthy Bodies
Healthy School Meals
Advocate for the Food Service Team
School Wellness Policies
Physical Activity & Phys Ed
Family Tasting Night
Healthy Hydration
Tobacco Prevention
Teaching Students Healthy Habits
Healthy Minds
For Families
For PTA Leaders
Healthy Earth
About PTA
Why Join PTA?
Join
Join National PTA
Join Your Local PTA
Start a PTA
Presence of PTA
Mission Statement
History
PTA History: 2000-2009
PTA History: 1990-1999
PTA History: 1980-1989
PTA History: 1970-1979
PTA History: 1960-1969
PTA History: 1950-1959
PTA History: 1940-1949
PTA History: 1930-1939
PTA History: 1920-1929
PTA History: 1910-1919
PTA History: 1900-1909
Legacy Room
PTA vs. Unaffiliated Parent Groups
Member Benefits
Member Offers
Why Parents Need PTA
Why Schools Need PTA
Why Teachers Need PTA
Donate
Leave a Legacy
Newsroom
Press Releases
Governance
Bylaws
Standards of Affiliation
Strategic Plan
Reports & Financials
Honor Roll of Donors
Leadership
Board of Directors
Anna King
Yvonne Johnson
Dr. William Potts-Datema
Collin Robinson
Alison Turner
Nathan R. Monell, CAE
Rose Acerra
Stacy Bateman
Shaton Berry
Candy Jo Bracken
Erik Champy
Sergio Chavez
Lauryn Donovan
Alvin L. Gainey
Cindy Gerhardt
Mindy Haas
Dr. Renée LaHuffman-Jackson
Lisa Mack
Jennifer Martinez
Jeff Price
Sylvia Reyna
Mikki Wilson
Paul Wilson
Committees
NLRC
Staff
Past National PTA Presidents
Leslie Boggs
James L. Accomando
Laura Bay
Otha Thornton
Betsy Landers
Charles J. Saylors
Jan Harp Domene
Anna Weselak
Linda M. Hodge
Shirley Igo
Ginny Markell
Past National PTA Presidents (1990-1999)
Past National PTA Presidents (1980-1989)
Past National PTA Presidents (1970-1979)
Past National PTA Presidents (1960-1969)
Past National PTA Presidents (1950-1959)
Past National PTA Presidents (1940-1949)
Past National PTA Presidents (1930-1939)
Past National PTA Presidents (1920-1929)
Past National PTA Presidents (1900-1919)
Past National PTA Presidents (1890-1899)
State Offices & Presidents
Become a National PTA Leader
Careers at National PTA
Sponsors & Partners
Home
/
Run Your PTA
/
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
/
Pacific Islander American Children and Families
Tweet
In Focus: Pacific Islander American Children
The term
Pacific Islanders
refers to Polynesians, Melanesians and Micronesians—the indigenous people of Oceania, which includes a large number of island nations.
Pacific Islanders have traditionally been included with Asian Americans due to their similar underrepresentation in higher education, government leadership and most professions. Although Asian American leaders have advocated for Pacific Islander communities and children, there are distinct differences.
The majority groups of Pacific Islanders in the United States are Native Hawaiians (527,000), Samoans (184,000), Tongans (57,000), Chamorro or Guamanian people of Guam and the Marianas islands (147,798), Fijians (32,304), and Marshallese (22,434).
Today there are 1.2 million Pacific Islanders in the United States, representing 0.5% of the nation’s population.
[1]
From 2000 to 2010, the Pacific Islander population grew 35%, from 399,000 to 540,000, making Pacific Islanders the second fasting growing race nationally.
87.4% of Pacific Islanders in the United States have earned high school diplomas, 20.7% have bachelor’s degrees, and 6% hold graduate degrees.
Key Strategies for Inclusion
Understand the need for inclusion.
Continuing underrepresentation in leadership and teaching roles highlights the importance of including Pacific Islanders in PTA’s diversity efforts. Currently in California, there is only one school board member, one school superintendent and just 30 school administrators of Pacific Islander ancestry.
Participate in community events
. Many Pacific Islanders live in close-knit communities due to their ties to families, churches or community centers. Educators can develop trust by participating in community events.
Be responsive to students’ circumstances
. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19% of Pacific Islanders live at or below the federal poverty level. Often multiple families reside together. Be aware of the potential lack of places to study or do homework at home.
Be sensitive to parents’ circumstances
. Pacific Islanders often lived in villages where they were expected to share their possessions with others. When parents are asked to share food and time with schools, they may do so at great personal expense.
Help parents and students navigate educational processes
. The workings of bureaucracies and the school system itself may be unfamiliar and intimidating. Parents also may feel uncomfortable communicating with educators. They may be reluctant to participate in school activities due to lack of understanding of how to engage in the process or lack of time due to work commitments.
Celebrate Pacific Island cultures
. Pacific Islanders appreciate music, dance and cultural festivals. Encourage students to participate in school arts programs. Ask parents to provide entertainment and expertise at Pacific Islander-themed activities, but be aware of possible expenses, as parents are very generous.
Encourage parent involvement
. Athletic booster clubs are another way to involve parents. Athletics are popular activities for many Pacific Islander children and youth, although schools must be careful not to stereotype Pacific Islander students as athletes.
Seek out resources for Pacific Islander students, including mentors and support organizations
. Because Pacific Islanders are very underrepresented in many careers and fields, seek out educators, business people, athletes, musicians and others from the community to serve as role models and mentors. Engage organizations that operate under the Asian American umbrella to determine if they also provide services for Pacific Islanders.
Research
“The Relevance of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in the College Completion Agenda”
(CARE: National Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Research in Education and the Asian and Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund)
“Pacific Islanders Lagging Behind in Higher Educational Attainment”
(
UCLA Asian American Studies Center)
”The Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander Population: 2010”
(U.S. Census Bureau)
“A Report on the Status of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Education”
(National Education Association)
Other Resources
Pacific Islander histories, traditions and cultures
: com,
Chamorro.com
,
Planet Tonga
,
Hawaiian Cultural Center: Kaiwakiloumoku
Cultural festivals
:
E Hula Mau
, Long Beach, CA;
Pacific Islander Festival Association
, San Diego;
Tafesilafa’I Festival
, Long Beach, CA
Educational resources
:
California Teachers Association
, Hawaii Department of Education,
Leadership Education for Asia Pacifics (LEAP)
,
National Education Association
,
National Pacific Islander Education Network (NPIEN)
, and
Pacific Resources for Education & Learning (PREL)
Legal resources
:
Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center
,
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
, and
Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Book publishers specializing in Pacific Islander materials
:
Bess Press Books
and KIN Publications
Pacific Islander organizations:
Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
,
Guam Communications Network
,
National Office of Samoan Affairs
,
Pacific American Foundation
,
Pacific Islander Community Council
,
Orange County Asian Pacific Islanders Community Alliance
, and
Samoan Federation of America
The Pacific Islander Access Project
works to end the exclusion of Pacific Islanders from minority-focused higher education programs.