Supportive policies to promote high school completion for Vietnamese boys and young adults

This study examines ways to improve high school completion rates for Vietnamese-speaking boys in Vancouver. On average, English as a Second Language students have high school completion rates above the provincial average. However, for the past five years, Vietnamese-speaking boys have averaged completion rates 6.1 percentage points behind their non-Vietnamese-speaking peers and 14.4 percentage points behind Vietnamese-speaking girls, a gender gap twice that of non-Vietnamese speakers. Using a mix-methods approach of interviews and a focus group, this study argues that Vietnamese boys need integrated school, family and community support to complete high school. Current policy adequately meets the boys’ school-based needs but fails to link with family/community support, resulting in a lack of school participation. Policy recommendations include: continued support for school programs that bridge the school-family gap; and an expanded Vietnamese Youth Development Program and a community-based mentorship program to encourage community engagement, skills-development opportunities and positive male influences.