Asian Americans in Washington State: Closing Their Hidden Achievement Gaps

The study begins with the premise that the academic challenges of Asian American students are hidden by: (1) the "model minority" stereotype that assumes all Asian Americans are academically successful; (2) the practice of lumping disparate Asian American groups into a single category; and (3) a predominant reliance on mainstream sources to explain Asian American educational experiences. To uncover Asian American achievement gaps, the study features disaggregated data to identify characteristics, data, and trends across and within different Asian American ethnic groups in education and other variables. It also incorporates the findings of community-based research that provide Asian American voices and insights of their situation in schools and U.S. society.