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Washington, DC – Today, the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) held its first Education Summit to dispel myths concerning Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. Due to stereotypes of overachievement, the need of underserved AAPI students for linguistically and culturally competent services are often overlooked. The Summit, featuring three panels of experts, provided an opportunity to examine the unique challenges facing AAPI students and educators and recommendations on how to address these challenges. An audio stream will be posted shortly at this website.
At the Summit, Dr. Robert Teranishi of NYU presented findings of a newly released report, also focusing on AAPI students, called Facts, Not Fiction: Setting the Record Straight. The report was released by the College Board, in collaboration with the National Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Research in Education, and details why false assumptions can lead to misinformed policy and practice that can be harmful to AAPI students.
“The myth of student achievement throughout our communities has masked particular linguistic and cultural needs of our young people for far too long,” said Rep. Mike Honda (CA-15), chair of CAPAC. “This successful Education Summit reaffirms CAPAC’s commitment to dispelling the model minority myth and ensuring the success of AAPI students and educators. I am thrilled that the College Board presented its new report Facts, Not Fiction at our Summit. The report gives us great insight into our student population, but also reveals the need for continued research about our youth. I will continue to advocate for greater attention to our community in the national debate on education, and look forward to future collaboration with the College Board and NYU.”
“Asian American and Pacific Islander communities deserve not only a seat at the table of education policy debates, but also a strong voice to shape the national conversation,” said Rep. David Wu (OR-01), chair of CAPAC’s Education Task Force. “I applaud all of those who are sharing their expertise and insights at our first CAPAC Education Summit. Today’s discussion of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders’ unique education challenges will help guide all of us who are working on creative solutions to the disparities our communities face, such as my bill to expand college opportunities and services for low-income AAPI students.”
“The College Board applauds the leadership of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) as it tackles the critical issues of opening educational opportunities to more students,” said College Board President Gaston Caperton. “We hope that the research in “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders—Fact, Not Fiction: Setting the Record Straight” will help to inform the work of the Caucus as it promotes broader preparation and access to higher education.”
“The Education Summit is a singular event for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. We are pleased to have been invited to participate and appreciate the opportunity to also release the CARE report on this occasion,” said Robert Teranishi, professor of education in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at NYU and co-principal investigator of CARE. “The National Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander Research will continue to work with the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus to inform their efforts with data and research.”
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