Keeping the “American Dream” Alive: Model Minority Discourse and Asian American Education

In the last few decades, the Asian American population has undergone a dramatic increase in number and diversity. Despite the changing demographics, portrayal of Asian Americans has remained overwhelmingly homogeneous and essentialized. Often referred to as a model minority, Asian American children have been noted for their academic achievement and economic mobility. The most common explanation used to describe such “success” has resorted to cultural discourses focused on homogenized notions of “Asian” values such as work ethic, education, and close-knit family.