Getting to Know Pacific Island Students from the Freely Associated States Infographic Series

Families from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau have traversed the Pacific region for centuries, but over the past several decades, more families have moved from the islands to pursue education, work, and healthcare in the continental United States, Hawai'i, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These growing populations of Pacific Island students in U.S. schools have prompted a need for a closer look at ways educators can provide culturally relevant, responsive, and sustaining education to students who are from or have family connections to the Pacific region.

The goal of this infographic series is to facilitate greater awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the diversity of cultures and experiences of Pacific Islanders and provide tangible methods for educators to meaningfully engage with Pacific students' communities inside and outside of the classroom.

Infographics Series

Infographic #1: What Are the Freely Associated States of the Pacific?

This infographic provides an overview of the Compacts of Free Association, including the historical and current social and political context necessary to understand some of the experiences of Pacific Island students in U.S. schools. Learn more about Infographic 1.

Infographic #2: Why Do Student Names Matter?

The purpose of this infographic is to support educators and school registrars in understanding some of the nuances and context around names and family relationships that they may encounter when registering new students or communicating with parents or guardians. Learn more about Infographic 2.

Infographic #3: What is School Like?

This infographic provides information about students' school experiences in the Freely Associated States (FAS). The purpose of this infographic is to support educators in understanding how these experiences living in the islands and navigating education systems may influence students' and families' expectations, interactions, and contributions to education environments outside of the FAS. Learn more about Infographic 3.

Infographic #4: Why Do Students' Languages Matter?

This infographic provides information about the languages and multilingual practices of students whose families are from the Freely Associated States of the Pacific. The purpose of this infographic is to support educators in understanding some of the nuances and context around languages that students speak at home or in the classroom. Learn more about Infographic 4.

Infographic #5: Using Data to Inform Practice

This infographic provides an overview of data considerations and resources available to educators who work with diverse student populations, including students whose families are from the Freely Associated States of the Pacific. The purpose of this infographic is to support educators in making data-driven decisions to inform instruction and build partnerships with communities. Learn more about Infographic 5.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the community members, organizations, and REL Pacific team across the Pacific region and the continental United States who provided input and feedback for the development of the infographics in this series.

• Ms. Roberta Abaday, instructor, University of Guam (REL Pacific locally based consultant)
• Ms. Shaila Abdullah, creative director and owner, My House of Design (REL Pacific project team)
• Ms. Darienne Dey, research associate, REL Pacific at McREL International (REL Pacific project team)
• Mr. Dominic Fanasog, professional development coordinator, Yap Department of Education (REL Pacific locally based consultant)
• Dr. Katie Gao, managing researcher, REL Pacific at McREL International (REL Pacific project team)
• Ms. Marlynn Halbert, administrative officer, Federated States of Micronesia Department of Education (REL Pacific locally based consultant)
• Ms. Carlnis Jerry, program director, Marshallese Education Initiative
• Mr. Wilson Kephas, consultant, Kosrae Department of Education (REL Pacific project consultant)
• Dr. Theresa Koroivulaono, education consultant, emmanED (McREL regional adviser)
• Ms. Emeliana J. Musrasrik-Carl, director of court administration, Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court (REL Pacific governing board member)
• Dr. Emerson Odango, director, Region 18 Comprehensive Center at PREL
• Ms. Natasha Saelua, researcher, REL Pacific at McREL International (REL Pacific project team)
• Mr. Chasmon Tarimel, school counselor, Puyallup School District.
• Ms. Meagan Taylor, managing consultant, REL Pacific at McREL International (REL Pacific project team)
• Ms. Elsei Tellei, artist, Tiuladokow Artwork (REL Pacific project team)
• Ms. Magaria Tellei, chief of curriculum and instructional materials development, Palau Ministry of Education (REL Pacific locally based consultant)
• Ms. Lynette Villagomez, deputy director, Region 18 Comprehensive Center at PREL
• Ms. Dorsalina William, language arts specialist, Chuuk Department of Education (REL Pacific locally based consultant)
• Dr. Melly Wilson, director, Region 19 Comprehensive Center at PREL

• Katie Gao, REL Pacific (kgao@mcrel.org)
• Natasha Saelua, REL Pacific (nsaelua@mcrel.org)