Measuring the Relationship Between Immigration and Academics : Combatting Academic Disparities

Maruf Aurnap

ABSTRACT

This paper explores the relationship between generational status and academic achievement amongst Asian American students. Asian American students are well documented as the most academically successful racial group in the US. This steep academic success is often attributed to the socio-cultural factors accompanied by immigrant status. When analyzing how this status affects Asian American students’ academic achievement, it is important to observe how these socio-cultural factors can affect different generations. A mixed method approach was implemented with a correlational analysis and thematic analysis. A quantitative analysis was conducted through the use of a self-administered questionnaire. Academic achievement was quantified through students’ GPA, which was then restandardized. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was then utilized to calculate the correlation between GPA and generational status. To account for confounding variables, the two most prominent confounding variables in the field of academic achievement, mental health and family income, were selected and implemented into the survey, so correlations could be found between these factors and generational status as well. No correlation was found between generational status and family income or generational status and mental health, whereas a weak negative correlation was found between generational status and academic GPA. A thematic analysis of the qualitative data from the questionnaire revealed consistent themes of culture and parental figures encouraging better academic achievement whilst causing declines in mental health throughout all generations. Analyzing both data, it can be concluded that the difference in academic effects between different generations is miniscule regardless of differences in mental health or family income.

Keywords: Immigration, academic achievement, Asian American, correlational analysis, thematic analysis, Asian American youth

Measuring the Relationship Between Immigration and Academics _ Combatting Academic Dispari.

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