This book shares the experiences of refugees settled in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia area (DMV) over the last ten years and their journeys back into education. What motivated their paths to access and success in education? What were their dreams and aspirations? What obstacles stood in their way and how did they overcome them? Who helped them along the way? What advice do they have for others experiencing displacement? Finally, what can institutions and policymakers do to integrate them more successfully? This book was conceived, researched, and written by the students and faculty of The George Washington University Refugee Educational Advancement Laboratory (REAL). Over a year of research, members of the REAL conducted in-depth interviews with students of refugee background and the family members who support them, spoke with practitioners at local, national, and international relief organizations who serve them, and consulted with experts of displacement and reintegration who study them. The findings offer a testament to the persistence of displaced individuals, who are determined to overcome steep odds and achieve their educational dreams. They also offer a clear set of guidelines for institutions, administrators, and policy makers who have it in their power to make a difference.
Bernhard Streitwieser is associate professor of International Education & International Affairs at George Washington University. Katharine Summers is international development practitioner and researcher focused on supporting migrants and refugees in Latin America and the Caribbean. Jessica Crist is Education Manager for the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network.
Introduction, Jessica Crist, Katharine Summers and Bernhard Streitwieser Section I: Access Chapter 1: Four Decades of U.S. Refugee Policy, Savannah Smith and O. Abiola Akintola Chapter 2: (Un)Welcoming Admissions: The Legal and Systemic Barriers Refugees in the DMV Face When Accessing Education, Jessica Crist Chapter 3: Increasing Access to Tertiary and Career and Technical Education (CTE) for Refugees in the DMV, Caroline Rakus-Wojciechowski and Savannah Smith Section II: Inclusion Chapter 4: Inclusive Education for Refugee Students, Haley Skeens and Isabelle Hoagland Chapter 5: Using an Asset-Based Approach to Overcome Refugees' Language Barriers in Educational Settings, Ciara Hoyne, Ashley Mitchell, and O. Abiola Akintola Chapter 6: Additive Education Experiences and Educational Supports for Refugee Students, Ciara Hoyne, and Brittany Troupe Section III: Application Chapter 7: Building Capacity: Improving Refugee-Background Students' Enrollment and Inclusion, Olivia Issa Chapter 8: Sharing Information on Education Across Resettlement Agencies, Nonprofits, Schools, and Community Spaces, Alexander Erickson, Olivia Issa, and Brittany Troupe Conclusion, Katharine Summers, Jessica Crist and Bernhard Streitwieser Afterword, Lisa Unangst
Accessing Quality Education: Global and Local Perspectives from Refugees navigates the complexities of refugee education, offering invaluable insights for educators, scholars, and policymakers. It dissects the educational landscape for refugees, starting with a historical analysis of U.S. refugee policy, moving through the systemic barriers to education, and culminating in practical strategies for inclusion and application. -- Chris R. Glass, Boston College
