A major study of the 17 million Asian-American community has challenged widely held beliefs, and major myths, about Asian-American students ranging from the best and brightest at Ivy League schools to the low performing Yuba City Indians.

"We are questioning one belief after another, starting with the idea that Asian Americans and Pacific Americans are a homogenous group," said Robert Teranishi, a New York University education professor and key author of the report. He hoped the study would galvanise students, their parents and educators at large to demand their share of "social and cultural capital".

Asian Americans, he said, are rather shy of discussions of educational research and policy. "They don't have to remain in the shadows of America's commitment to equality and social justice," he asserted. "We question the still prevailing notion that Asian Americans are a model minority and that these students do not need any special assistance. And we also show up the myth that Asian Americans are taking over American universities, outperforming other groups, and that most of them end up with science and engineering degrees."

The study points out that there is a tendency to lump Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders together under the 'model minority solution' rubric, as if they share the same traits, and are all high-performing achievers.

'Indeed, there are exceptional Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who are extremely accomplished, and they are a source of pride and inspiration,' the study says. 'But it is simply not true that they are typical. Moreover, this report will show how there is no such thing as an Asian American and Pacific Islander composite, especially when there are more differences than similarities between the many peoples designated by the federally defined categories of 'Asian American' and/or 'Pacific Islander.'

Even among those who share a language and even a religion, Teranishi said, there can be significant differences in their background, experience and educational aspirations. Thus, the Tamils from India could have a significantly different educational experience than their counterparts from war-torn Sri Lanka.

'While there are varied and historical reasons for reporting this group under one umbrella in certain instances, it is critical for educators and policymakers to recognise that individuals who comprise this group occupy positions along the full range of the socioeconomic spectrum, from the poor and underprivileged to the affluent and highly skilled,' the study pointed out. 'There is no simple description that can characterise Asian-American and Pacific Islander students or communities as a whole.'

Photograph: Paresh Gandhi

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