CAPAA partnered with researchers from the University of Washington's School of Social Work and College of Education to better understand educational experiences and well-being across Asian and Asian American (As/AsAm) students, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) students in Washington public schools. The findings from these reports will guide policy development to close opportunity gaps in the K-12 education system.
Historically, the umbrella term AANHPI has served as a proactive, political tool to increase solidarity and share resources across communities with a shared mission. However, this umbrella term can erase the unique concerns and needs within the As/AsAm and NH/PI communities, which we have seen translated in policy and law. In order to examine the breadth, number, and diversity of unique cultures housed under the AANHPI umbrella, the research team created two distinct reports to allow space for every story to unfold or “data disaggregation”. Going a step further, the reports present data on individual ethnic groups (e.g., Cambodian, Tongan) to reflect the range of experiences facing different ethnic communities in Washington.
Researchers led both qualitative and quantitative research, investigation, and analysis with the support of students and educators who sat for interviews with the study team. The research team was closely guided by a board of community advisors who supported the overall design and interpretation of the studies. The research team centered data disaggregation as a best practice in two sister reports: i. a report centering the voices of Asian and Asian American youth; and ii. a report centering the voices of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander youth.
Access the Final Reports:
- Title: “Centering Asian Diasporic Voices and Shaping Policy: The educational experiences and wellbeing of Asian and Asian American Youth in Washington Schools”
- Lead Authors: Jenn Nguyễn (PhD Candidate, M.Ed), and Max A. Halvorson (PhD)
- Date Published: 12/12/2025
- Final Report
- Executive Summary
- Title: “Stories of Educational Wayfinding: Supporting the educational voyages of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Students”
- Lead Authors: Max A. Halvorson (PhD), and Santino G. Camacho (PhD Candidate, MPH)
- Date Published: 12/12/2025
- Final Report
- Executive Summary
Contact the Research Team:
Max Halvorson, maximum2@uw.edu
Santino Camacho, sgtino@uw.edu
Jenn Nguyễn, jngyn@uw.edu