The simple checkbox on the most forms, denoting "Asian" or "Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander," belies the diversity behind those labels -- ranging from"Mixed Filipino," and "Hmong American," to "Samoan," and "Chinese/Japanese." That's the argument of those backing the #AllStudentsCount movement.
A broad coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy groups, educators, and students converged on Capital Hill to show support for the All Students Count Act introduced by Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA).
There are 48 ethnic groups comprising the definition of “Asian American,” and 24 groups comprising “Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander." Those broad labels, reformers say, hide the diversity within -- illustrated in selfie-form on the movement's Tumblr page -- and can also mask the struggles of smaller, more vulnerable groups behind the successes of larger ones.
“Better data brings better policies. It’s that simple.” said Rep. Honda, “Being counted means that you have a voice."
Honda's legislation would require State Education Agencies to report more enhanced disaggregated data at the K-12 levels in annual state report cards, using the same race categories as the US Census and including cross-tabulated data of student outcomes by gender and race/ethnicity, allowing, he and supporters say, for better analysis of the experiences of all Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
IN-DEPTH
- How Pacific Islander Students Are Slipping Through the Cracks
- Asian Americans Growing Faster Than Any Other Group in the U.S.
- U.S. Teachers Are Nowhere Near as Diverse as Their Students
