Not all Asian Americans enjoying educational success

Those reading the April 6 Metro article “Asian Americans outpacing peers” should be careful not to embrace stereotypes that can limit the supports available to students whose needs are not included in this rosy outlook. While the article mentioned disparities within the Asian American subgroup, it did not shed enough light on how wide the gaps actually are. Students from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, in particular, are being left behind in our nation’s schools.

In Fairfax County, nearly a quarter of Vietnamese Americans over age 25 do not have a high school diploma, compared with just 8 percent of the county’s general population. Nationwide, approximately 38 percent of Cambodian, Hmong and Laotian Americans age 25 and older have less than a high school education compared with just 15 percent of the overall population; and in California, a recent study found that over a four-year period, one-fifth of Pacific Islander students in grades 9-12 are estimated to drop out — realities that are often obscured by the “model minority myth.”

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Before we report the success of one group of students, we must ensure that every student’s experience is accurately reflected. As Congress revisits the Elementary and Secondary Education Act this year, developing data systems that allow for reporting the progress of student subgroups must be a priority.

Doua Thor, Washington

The writer is executive director of the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center.