American Graduate: Generation One

In Texas, one in three children has a parent who’s an immigrant -- or they're immigrants themselves. They have to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture and try to fit into a community that may not embrace newcomers. Follow these first-generation Texans and the educators weaving them into the American tapestry.

A KERA News American Graduate Project by
Stella M. Chávez, Eric Aasen and Ryan Tainter

Niuying Cao and Jiaying Zhang shop at 99 Ranch Market in Plano. Photo/Christina Ulsh

February 2, 2014

Listen To Our Generation One Special Program

By Stella M. Chávez

Photos/Christina Ulsh

February 3, 2014

Slideshow: What They Brought

By rtainter

Photo/Mark Birnbaum

February 4, 2014

Video: Meet Irum Ali

By Mark Birnbaum

Irum Ali attends Liberty High in Frisco. Photo/Mark Birnbaum

Chapter 8
February 6, 2014

A Teen Embraces Her Muslim Roots

By Stella M. Chávez

Inside the International Newcomer Academy in Fort Worth. Photo/Christina Ulsh

Chapter 7
February 7, 2014

In Fort Worth, A School Just For Immigrant Kids

By Stella M. Chávez

Students study at International Leadership of Texas in Garland. Photo/Christina Ulsh

Chapter 6
February 8, 2014

Leaving Mom And Dad Behind In China For School In The U.S.

By Stella M. Chávez

Photo/Mark Birnbaum

February 9, 2014

Video: Go Inside A Dual Language Class

By Mark Birnbaum

Inside Bowie Elementary in Grand Prairie ISD. Photo/Mark Birnbaum

Chapter 5
February 10, 2014

Helping Kids Learn English — And Spanish, Too

By Stella M. Chávez

Kids and parents in Vickery Meadow in Dallas get ready for the first day of school. Photo/Christina Ulsh

Chapter 4
February 11, 2014

How Schools Can Help Immigrant Students

By Stella M. Chávez

Dilcia M. Asencio Mazariegos in an ESL class in Plano. Photo/Christina Ulsh

Chapter 3
February 12, 2014

She Escaped Violence For A Fresh Start In Texas

By Stella M. Chávez

September 26, 2014

Interactive: Who’s Coming To Texas?

By Ryan Tainter

Inside the Language Assessment Center in Grapevine. Photo/Stella M. Chávez

Chapter 2
September 26, 2014

Going From Spanish (Or Urdu Or Arabic) To English

By Stella M. Chávez

October 27, 2014

Video: Meet David Kapuku

By Mark Birnbaum

David Kapuku on his way to school. Photo/Mark Birnbaum

Chapter 1
October 28, 2014

In A Land Of Strangers, Paving His Own Path

By Stella M. Chávez

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KERA News

Reporter: Stella M. Chávez
Videographer: Mark Birnbaum
Photographer: Christina Ulsh
Digital News Editor: Eric Aasen
Designer/Developer: Ryan Tainter
Executive Producer: Jeff Whittington
Vice President, News: Rick Holter

About this series

In Texas, one in three children has a parent who’s an immigrant -- or they're immigrants themselves. They have to learn a new language, adapt to a different culture and try to fit into a community that may not embrace newcomers. Follow these first-generation Texans and the educators weaving them into the American tapestry.

This project was reported with assistance from an Institute for Justice & Journalism fellowship.