Dozens of parents are pushing to create what they believe would be the first school in California designed primarily for Hmong and Lao children -- an academy where their native languages, culture and traditions would be taught.
"This is our dream," said Wangyee Vang, president of the nonprofit Lao Veterans of America Institute, which has petitioned the Fresno Unified School District.
But they face an uphill fight.
Fresno Unified trustees have raised concerns that the academy would further erode declining enrollment in the district. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in state funding would be diverted for students who attend the charter school.
Some also argue the academy could isolate the Southeast Asian children and hinder efforts to help them integrate into American culture.
"It's a good idea with good intentions," said school board President Tony Vang, who is Hmong. "But there's still a lot of work that needs to be done."
A vote is scheduled for March 26 on a petition to create the Hmong Academy of Fresno. Its supporters say it's a crucial step to encourage the next generation not to abandon their heritage.
"There's so much pressure [to be American] that they will forget the traditions," said John Thao, 37, who plans to enroll his two sons into the academy if it is approved. "They will not know what my parents taught me."
The Hmong Academy would be built on 3 acres at Minnewawa Avenue at Kings Canyon Road in southeast Fresno and would be open to all students, regardless of ethnicity. Classroom instruction will be primarily in English. If approved, it would open this fall.
Fresno County has one of the nation's largest Hmong populations. More than 22,000 Hmong live in Fresno County, according to 2000 U.S. census data. Another large population center is in Minnesota, where schools similar to the one proposed in Fresno already are operating, organizers said.
Many Hmong settled in California as refugees in the decades after the Vietnam War. The Hmong and Lao people helped the United States fight communism in Laos and Vietnam from 1961 to 1975.
Fresno Unified has accommodated them by creating the Academy for New Americans, which helps children of immigrants -- including the Hmong -- assimilate into American life. The district also adopted a "Hmong Voices" curriculum that is being taught to children in grades 2-11 this school year to educate all children about the contributions of Hmong people.
"So what are we not doing right?" trustee Valerie Davis said.
Dozens of supporters attended a Feb. 13 school board meeting when the proposal came up for discussion, but trustees already were expressing skepticism.
Trustee Manuel Núñez said he doesn't think it's a good idea for immigrants such as the Hmong to isolate themselves from the community at large. "It will be more difficult for them to be accepted," he said.
The proposal comes as charter schools have begun to proliferate in Fresno Unified, which last year had the lowest student test scores among the five biggest school districts in the Valley in subjects such as English, math and science.
Many view charter schools as a way to target help for students who need it, or to make sure gifted students have a place where they can receive specialized attention. Fresno Unified has approved 10 charter schools -- including five in the past five years. In comparison, Clovis Unified has one charter school, and Central Unified has none.
But charter schools come at a cost to the district. State funding of nearly $7,600 per student follows each child who enrolls in a charter school. The district loses direct control over that money.
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