| This study was conducted to examine and describe the educational and cultural experiences of children born to African parents in selected American public schools. It was also designed to identify the educational needs and expectations of these children and their parents. The results of this study will assist schools, parents, communities, and other government agencies to form ties with the original homelands of children born to African parents to prepare these children to function properly in both American and African cultures. The results of the study will also provide useful recommendations to the American Embassies in African countries to orient immigrants from these countries to the educational system in the United States.;Qualitative research approach with an inductive orientation was employed. An interview guide was used to solicit open-ended answers to questions. The questions for the interview focused mainly on family backgrounds; children's educational and cultural activities at home, in schools, and in the communities where they live; languages; and comparisons between African cultures and traditions, and the American mainstream cultures.;A total of 34 people participated in the study which included nine children in grades 5 through 12, their parents, teachers, and principals. Findings of the study included the following: (1) Children in the study do not possess the knowledge and clear understanding of their African cultures, customs, and traditions. (2) The children cannot speak, read, write, or understand their African language(s). (3) Their educational and cultural experiences in the U.S. public schools do not empower them to fully participate in their bicultural societies. (4) There is an absence of African topics in their school curriculum. (5) The children's knowledge of Africa was given to them at home by their parents. (6) There is no comprehensive textbook or other educational materials about Africa for teachers and students to use in these schools.;All the participants agreed that since language is a vehicle that carries the culture of a people, it would be impossible for these children to fully grasp their African cultures without the knowledge of their African language(s). The participants suggested that these children should be in a maintenance bilingual education program. |
