The document discusses reasons why Asian American students in Lexington, KY outperform other students on standardized tests. It suggests that Asian parents have higher expectations for their children's academic success, which motivates the children. Asian students also tend to have superior study habits, such as studying longer hours and using more effective study methods. Additionally, Asian students gain confidence in academics through systematically mastering fundamentals, which reduces test anxiety. The document recommends the KUMON program as an example of an Asian-based learning methodology that can be incorporated to help all students succeed.

1. Why Do Asian American Students Earn the
Highest Test Scores in Lexington, KY?
By Anna Seacat

2. Why Do Asian American Students Outperform Other Students in the
Classroom and on Standardized Tests in Lexington, KY?
Amy Chua created controversy with her first book, Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother. However, her
second book, The Triple Package may prove to be more controversial. Critics accuse Chua’s opinion
that one’s culture and upbringing greatly affects her or his likelihood of success in the United
States to be borderline racist.
However, Chua insists that her intent is to not generalize or stereotype certain cultural groups.
Rather, she simply wants to point out that each ethnicity tends to have traditions when it comes to
educating and raising children, and that we all can benefit by learning from others.
With this theme of learning from others in mind, I have set out to find reasons why Asian American
children in Lexington, KY are outscoring their non-Asian classmates on standardized tests and
proficiency assessments.

3. Why Do Asian American Students Outperform Other Students in the
Classroom and on Standardized Tests in Lexington, KY?
In this presentation I will begin by providing evidence that Asian American
students do, indeed, earn the highest scores on tests and proficiency
assessments in Kentucky.
Next, I will explore possible reasons why this occurs.
Finally, I will offer a way that we can incorporate successful Asian-based
learning methods into the U.S. educational structure.

4. Asian American Students Outperform all
Other Student Groups in Kentucky
As shown in this chart, which can be found
along with supporting data at Kentucky
Department of Education : Homepage, Asian
students’ outperform all other races in
Kentucky not only at the baseline
“Proficient” category, but the more critical
category, “Advanced.”
I call this category more critical, because as
with any discipline, whether it be athletic or
academic, being proficient is not enough to
be considered a competitive. Performing at
a competitive level requires mastery of skills,
i.e. “advanced.”

5. Why Do Asian American Students Earn the Highest
Test Scores in Kentucky?
In the following slides, I will offer three reasons why Asian
Americans have reached advanced levels in math and
reading.
Parent’s High Expectations
Superior Study Habits
Confidence in the Classroom and on Tests

6. Why Have Asian American Students in Lexington, KY Reached
Advanced Levels in Reading and Math?
Parent’s Expectations
High Grades = Successful Careers
A paper submitted by the Department of Applied Psychology at NYU compiled research to
show that, “Asian American parents believe that education is a strong predictor of future
success, implying that an ‘improper’ education leads to failure.”
Good Parenting = High Expectations
The same body of work at NYU also concluded that Asian parents believe that part of being a
good parent is having high expectations for children. In fact, the high expectations have a
tendancy to be an effective strategy, because, “Asian American children aim for occupations
that are indicative of high socioeconomic status and their parents’ timeless effort.”

7. Why Have Asian American Students in Lexington, KY Reached
Advanced Levels in Reading and Math?
Superior Study Habits
Asian Students Study Longer.
According the research presented by the University of California, Asian students study around 13 hours each week,
while white students only about 6 hours every week.
Asian Students Study More Effectively.
In February of 2014, the OECD released results of a comprehensive study on academic performance, and found that
Japanese students not only believe they are in control of their ability to succeed, but they are prepared to do what it
takes to do so: 84% of Japanese students said they won't put off difficult problems, in the U.S. only half did so.
Additionally, the OECD’s special advisor on education policy explained that while Western schools have a tendency to
teach "simple maths wrapped in complex words,” Asian-based methodologies, like KUMON, emphasize teaching
students formal maths through mastery of the underlying principles.

8. Why Have Asian American Students in Lexington, KY Reached
Advanced Levels in Reading and Math?
Confidence in the Classroom and on Tests
In 2012, PISA released international results about the correlation between students' confidence in
math and their ability to perform advanced levels of math. Not surprisingly, students with the most
confidence in their abilities in mathematics had the least anxiety during math exercises/ tests,
and these high-achieving students were from Asian countries.
As mentioned in the previous slide, Asian students gain confidence in their personal abilities in math
because, through programs like KUMON, students master fundamentals in mathematics in a
systematic manner. Because, Asian students have mastered math fundamentals, they confidently
apply them to challenges in the classroom and on tests.

9. How can Parents in Lexington, KY Incorporate Successful Asian-Based
Learning Methodologies into Their Child’s Education?
For over a half century, Asian parents have been using KUMON to enhance their children’s
education and improve their potential for academic success. As shown in the video, Sudha
Chopra explains how the methodology works.

10. For years, test scores in Fayette County schools in Lexington, KY
have shown that Asian American Students outscore their white peers.
This presentation examined possible reasons why this scenario
exists. Key takeaways for parents include:
1.
2.
3.
Your children will rise to the expectations you set for them. All children are capable
of academic greatness; you shouldn’t expect anything less than that.
If your children are to compete in an increasingly competitive collegiate
environment and secure a viable career, enroll them in an academic program like
KUMON, which teaches students to study more effectively than their peers.
Self-confidence will determine your child’s level of comfort while in the classroom
and during tests. Self-confidence in these environments can be achieved by
reducing anxiety through systematic practice.
For more information about how to raise confident,
independent, and high-achieving student, please visit:
http://whatiskumon.blogspot.com/