Exploring Intersectionality: Asian American Students and Academic Excellence (Poster 63)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Seven
  In Poster Session: Youth Teams in Education Research Poster Session

Abstract

The “Asian Minority Myth'' is an ideology perpetuated in part by the high academic achievement of Asian-American children alongside racially-segregating beliefs. Asian American students are generally perceived to have higher academic achievement than other minority students; the myth disregards the multitude of intersectionalities of Asian American students and its implications on their success. This qualitative study explores perceptions of Asian American high school students in the New York City area. Data were drawn from the base-year survey of the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) as well as other scholarly statistics and self-conducted surveys. The findings from such a study examine the complex relationship between Asian American student identities and perceptions regarding future opportunities and attitudes toward schooling. It is concluded that the academic success of Asian American students is influenced by the interplay of racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural identities of Asian American students. Furthermore, to create a more socially-conscious society, there is a need for a more comprehensive and diversified conception of Asian American students that encompasses their multiple intersectionalities.

Authors

• Limarys Caraballo, Teachers College, Columbia University
  Presenting Author

• Xuyin Zhong, Youth Teams in Education Research
  Presenting Author