Perceptions of Inclusion and Belonging of Arab American Students:
[Thesis]
Jaber, Sawsan
A Case Study in a Midwestern Suburban School
Kowalczyk, Jamie Ann
Concordia University Chicago
2019
204
Ph.D.
Concordia University Chicago
2019
Most of the literature on the topic of inclusion is focused on students from Native American, African American and Hispanic demographics. Although the Islamophobic sentiment has grown in the United States since the advent of 9/11, very little educational research has been conducted to analyze how this negative climate has impacted students from Arab American decent, who are often perceived as Muslims. This study explored the perceptions of inclusion and belonging of Arab American students in a historically Caucasian school district with rapidly changing demographics. The study compared student perceptions to the perceptions of parent and teacher stakeholder groups through a qualitative case study. Using the framework of critical race theory and culturally sustaining pedagogy, it was determined that stakeholder groups do not perceive that the Arab American students are included or that the school had been making an intentional effort to help these students feel like they belong. Furthermore, it is evident that the intersectionality of being female and being an Arab American presents more challenges in this specific context. Implicit biases are evident on the parts of the stakeholder groups through their perception. The evidence suggests that bridging the demographic divide requires intentional effort and collaboration simultaneously between all stakeholder groups.