Education Division Scholarship
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-22-2024
Keywords
Dual language bilingual education, Principles, Asian languages, Language-in-education policies, Agency, Growth and sustainability
Abstract
This study examined how three champion principals of Asian language dual language bilingual education (DLBE) programs—Cantonese, Korean, and Mandarin—in California have navigated the oscillating language-in-education policies after the Lau decision. We explored principals' various roles through a lens of agency in a social justice leadership framework, specifically considering the opportunities and challenges for agentive leadership from three different phases: foregrounding and engaging, planning and implementing, and evaluating and sustaining. Findings demonstrate that the success of DLBE programs goes beyond the overarching language policies that supposedly enable bilingual education; rather it hinges on the bottom-up commitment, collaboration and resilience of principals, teachers, and parent communities. The blanket policies at the state level often overlooked Asian languages and the unique needs of Asian teachers and communities in DLBE schools, limiting principal agency. Within these confines, principals consistently engaged in advocacy work, such as in teacher recruitment, hiring and work distribution, and curriculum design and assessment, contributing to the growth and sustainability of their programs. By elevating these champions and their experiences and perspectives, this study reflects upon the politicized path to bilingual education 50 years after the Lau case and contributes valuable insights to inform future implementational research, practice, and policy, ensuring the continued flourishing of Asian language bilingual education for the growing constituency of Asian-identifying students.
Publication Title
Springer
First Page
1
Last Page
28
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10993-024-09706-6
Recommended Citation
Wong, Kevin M. and Tian, Zhongfeng, "Principal agency 50 years after the Lau decision: Building and sustaining bilingual education programs for Asian languages" (2024). Pepperdine University, Education Division Scholarship. Paper 324.
https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/gsepedu/324
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