CULTURE AND EDUCATION ON GUAM

We discussed “The Cost of Schooling for Micronesian Students” and Professor Franquez provided us with discussion questions. The first discussion question asked us what were some ways FSM students were discriminated and if it’s seen on Guam too. One of the discriminations was that the state is not required to fund Medicaid for migrants from Micronesia. It mentions its lack of money. The second discussion question was why did the FSM students migrate. They migrated for better education, more job opportunities, and more affordable medical treatments. Micronesians were reported to be the fastest-growing migrant groups in Hawaii. It also mentioned that the top two reasons given for homelessness were “over-crowded housing” and “could not afford rent.” Cancer, teen pregnancy, STD, obesity, diabetes, and mental health were also key issues for Micronesians. The language barrier was difficult for many FSM students. To help with the limited English proficiency, they provided services to ELLs. 

I'm taking ED265 and this book provides so many interesting articles. I highly recommend it if you want to know more about culture and education on Guam. I learned about how Pacific literature is not offered as a course in the Guam Department of Education (GDOE)  secondary curriculum. This is problematic, as people from Guam are from the Pacific and should be aware of the literature that exists in the region.