HMONG LANGUAGE & CULTURE ENRICHMENT PROGRAM

The impetus of the Hmong Language and Culture Enrichment Program (HLCEP), a 6-week intensive program, first came to light when a few Hmong parents in the Madison area networked and discussed their children’s academic skills. Lack of cultural support available at schools and low self-esteem were identified as key barriers to their children’s low academic success. “If our schools do not teach the Hmong history and experience to our students, it our responsibility to do so if we want productive citizens,” said one parent. Another parent added, “Did you know that 93% of our Hmong students in Dane County read below grade level according to the WKCE test?"

 

Data from the MMSD K-12 shows that our Hmong students are falling far behind in reading and math. In reading, 93% of Hmong students read below grade level. In math, 74% of Hmong students perform math below grade level. HLCEP’s summer program last year, on average, elementary students increased their knowledge of reading and writing in Hmong from 23% on their pretest to 67% on their posttest, an increase of 44%. Middle school students increased their knowledge from 42% on their pretest to 88% on their posttest, an increase of 46%.

 

Click the box to see the MMSD K-12 data:

 

 

The dialogue snowed ball and Hmong parents became aware that their children were not getting enough exposure to the Hmong culture, language, and traditions at home and school. These parents witnessed a fast-pace of assimilation into the American culture. Besides the low academic skills of their children, they fear that, someday, their kids will not know what it's like to be Hmong.

 

Mai Zong and Peng organized and formalized the parental concerns by bringing parents together. A group of 45 parents, Hmong professionals, and children met in late March 2013 to discuss a community effort. As a result, through the leadership of some parents and Hmong college students from UW-Madison, the Hmong Language and Culture Enrichment Program (HLCEP), an intensive (8 hours/day) six-week summer program, was born. A total of 31 students registered and 26 successfully completed the first camp held on June 24, 2013 to August 2, 2013.