Award Date
5-1-2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education
First Committee Member
Monica Brown
Second Committee Member
Sharolyn Pollard-Durodola
Third Committee Member
Joseph Morgan
Fourth Committee Member
Iesha Jackson
Number of Pages
192
Abstract
Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander (NHPI) groups remain the most underrepresented children in special education, jeopardizing their access to essential academic support. NHPI groups are among the fastest-growing populations in the United States, and these increasing numbers will impact schools and special education specifically. However, there is minimal data on NHPI children in special education. This is problematic, as special educators are responsible for providing appropriate, accessible, and equitable educational opportunities to support their academic journey and to ensure NHPIs’ contributions to the economic growth of the U.S. To better understand the nuances of NHPI cultures, this qualitative exploratory multiple case study examined the schooling experiences of NHPI children in special education. The study included three male secondary students identified with a specific learning disability enrolled in an urban school district. The participants shared their experiences in the resource classroom setting and offered educators advice on teaching and learning with them. The findings indicate that the cultures among Pacific Islanders are unique and diverse and should be interpreted as such. Further research is recommended to identify more NHPI cultures to inform schools and educate policymakers on their varied educational needs.
Keywords
k-12; multiple case study; Native Hawaiians; Pacific Islanders; qualitative; special education
Disciplines
Special Education and Teaching
File Format
Run Time
1607 KB
Degree Grantor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Language
English
Repository Citation
Dennis, June Priscillia, "In Their Voices: An Exploration of the Experiences of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Students in Special Education" (2025). UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones. 5262.
https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/thesesdissertations/5262
Rights
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