Asian Students’ Test Scores Are Often High. Our Success Is Complicated

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Few observers were probably surprised when Asian students outscored other students on test scores released by California state this fall.

Statewide, and here in Los Angeles, Asian students who completed California’s 2024 assessments showed higher levels of proficiency in reading and math, compared to other racial groups. 

Asian kids’ dominance of California’s state tests echoes the results of national exams, where the same, long-standing trend of academic achievement by these students holds true in other cities and states across the country. 

So, why do Asian kids do so well on those exams? In my experience, the reasons are complicated.       

I grew up in L.A.’s San Gabriel Valley, where I attended high-performing public schools that enrolled a lot of Asian students like me. We consistently outperformed other schools and student groups across the state.

But here’s what the high test scores didn’t show. Many of us poured countless hours into our studies and extracurriculars. Many of us were also privileged enough to have tutors. 

Growing up, I had classmates who started their academic after-school programs in elementary school. And although not every family in the neighborhood had a tutor, education was definitely one of the top priorities for the majority in my community. 

We were in a high-pressure environment, and assimilation meant performing well. In high school, students engaged in afterschool activities, such as sports and academic clubs. Some parents paid tens of thousands on college counselors. 

All this pressure, however difficult at times, created “success,” which ultimately meant being accepted to reputable universities. Our graduating class had around 250 students. One of our most notable statistics for college admissions was 26 confirmed acceptances to U.C. Berkeley. 

However, a highly competitive atmosphere like this can exact psychological and social costs. 

Many students around me growing up were constantly stressed. It felt like college admissions were the be-all end-all. It shouldn’t be that way.

My mom and dad immigrated from China, and I am forever grateful for their dedication and sacrifices. One way to show my appreciation and that their efforts weren’t wasted was through my academic and professional achievements. 

It’s all part of the American Dream.

However, that pressure to succeed can also hold a dark side. 

A University of Michigan research project called Deconstructing the Model Minorityfound Asian students “often experience extreme pressure and stress.” We may also feel “the responsibility and guilt […] for [our] parents’ sacrifices.”

This is what academic achievement costs for some Asian students, and also probably what it costs some other kids from other ethnic groups. 

However, not every student has access to the same opportunities as me. And not everyone’s experience was like mine. 

While my school growing up provided structure, support, and community, many other students in L.A. are navigating underfunded schools. And often those students also have less academic support and face greater socio-economic instability. 

I’ve worked as a tutor in South Central L.A., so I’ve seen some of these issues first-hand. 

I’ve worked with fourth graders struggling to read. It’s not that those students lacked the ability to learn. It’s that they’ve been disadvantaged by systematic issues and other external factors they can’t control.

But I believe that education is the great equalizer. And I think that we are making progress on fulfilling that potential. Organizations such as Teach for America, Khan Academy, Head Start, and PeerForward are excellent starting points in the ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap. 

It sounds simple, but it’s not. Educators and policymakers everywhere need to ensure every student has an equal opportunity to a quality education. It’s a multifaceted issue.

That’s why our conversation should not center solely on why Asian students score higher than other kids. We should also be talking about how to ensure that all students have all the resources they need to succeed.

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