Asian American Students More Academically Neglected Than Assumed

Angela Januzzi

July 27, 2007 

The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report Thursday stating that, although Asian Americans attain the most substantial academic achievement out of any ethnic group, such output conceals the other academic obstacles a large number of Asian American students face. 

The report noted that a large portion of Southeast Asian high school students are not enrolled in any college preparatory programs, and that many Asian American families save less money for their child’s college education than do other ethnic groups. In addition, a vast portion of Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander students’ families are also financially located in lower income quartiles—making their attainment of college degrees more difficult than assumed.

 In general, the report demonstrates that, while Asian Americans hold the largest proportion of college degrees of any ethnic group in the Unites States, this success should not mask the major obstacles and difficulties these students surmount in order to achieve such status. The report conveys a greater need for Asian American educational assistance than previously expected—in financial aid planning, educational outreach, and overall college preparation.

Source: Jaschik, Scott. “Understanding Gaps Among Asian Groups.” www.insidehighered.com. Posted: July 27, 2007.