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AAPI adults want schools to teach history of racism: poll
The survey found that 71 percent of AAPI adults favor teaching the history of slavery, racism and segregation in K-12 public schools.
Representative image / Image- Unsplash
A majority of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults believe U.S. schools should teach about issues related to race, according to a new poll.
The survey, conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, found that 71 percent of AAPI adults favor teaching the history of slavery, racism, and segregation in K-12 public schools. An equal percentage support including the history of AAPI communities in the curriculum.
The poll also reveals opposition among AAPI adults to efforts that restrict classroom discussions. 56 percent oppose individual school boards' restrictions on specific subjects, and 35 percent feel these boards wield too much influence over K-12 curricula. Nearly half believe parents (47 percent) and teachers (48 percent) have too little influence on curriculum decisions.
"These findings highlight the perspectives of AAPI adults on a range of educational issues, from curriculum content to the purpose of higher education," said Jennifer Benz, deputy director of The AP-NORC Center. "Many in the community want to see their local schools addressing the history of underrepresented groups in the classroom, and they think teachers and parents should have greater input on those kinds of decisions."
The survey also found that while there is strong support for teaching about race, AAPI adults are less unified on teaching issues related to sex and sexuality, with 53 percent in favor and 19 percent opposed.
Regarding the quality of education, four in ten AAPI adults rate both public and private K-12 schools in their state positively. About half feel similarly about public community colleges or 2-year institutions, while public 4-year colleges and universities receive higher marks, with 65 percent rating them as excellent or good.
The poll also explored attitudes toward higher education. Nearly half (48 percent) of AAPI adults consider a four-year college degree essential for securing a job that supports a family. However, this sentiment is slightly lower for wealth accumulation (43 percent) and citizen engagement (42 percent).
“These findings challenge prevailing stereotypes of AAPIs as solely prioritizing hard skills and economic advancement in regard to higher education,” said Karthick Ramakrishnan, founder and director of AAPI Data. “This study reveals a more nuanced and fuller portrait, illustrating that AAPI individuals value education not only for its practical applications but also for fostering critical thinking and nurturing a more informed citizenship.”
The nationwide study was conducted from April 8-17, 2024, using the Amplify AAPI Monthly survey, which draws from a national probability panel of AAPI adults. Interviews were conducted in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 4.7 percentage points.
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