In the last month we have seen an influx of challenges and barriers affecting our API communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the challenges we are hearing from our communities is the closure of schools and the implementation of distance learning.

 As of this current school year, Asian American students make up 6.9% of students enrolled in Minnesota. In the last month, we have heard that language access, technology challenges, and financial burdens have presented barriers not only for students to be successful in the classroom, but also for parents who wish to be involved in their children’s education. This has led our communities to face unique barriers to full and equal participation in learning and instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 In response to this issue, the Council has created a community survey to identify ongoing barriers experienced by API families during distance learning. The purpose of this survey is to collect data collect to inform the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) on areas for improvement and best practices with API students during the distance learning period.

 With this in mind, we ask for your participation in helping us to widely distribute this survey to community members to ensure that their voices are heard by MDE officials. The survey will be open for community response between Monday, April 27th – Friday, May 8th. 

 During this time of COVID-19, we understand that many organizations have limited capacity, and greatly appreciate any support you can provide in getting this survey out to families.  Our simple ask to you is your help in sending out the survey to community members using email and social media. If you can make this small commitment, please confirm by responding to this email. Once we receive your confirmation we will follow-up with language templates and guidance to send out the surveys. Thank you all and we all wish your loved ones well.

 Please if you have any questions you can contact me, or our Research Assistant Daniel Yang, at daniel.y.yang@state.mn.us.

 Sincerely,

 Anjuli Cameron 

 Anjuli Mishra Cameron, M.S. | Research Director

Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans | 658 Cedar Street, Suite 160 | St. Paul, Minnesota 55155

(651) 757-1742 |  (507) 649-1157 | anjuli.cameron@state.mn.us |mn.gov/capm