Burmese Americans are making remarkable strides in their college enrollment and retention rates, according to a recent study by the Burmese American Community Institute (BACI).
The study reports that the college enrollment rate among Burmese Americans is 94.4%, with a retention rate of 96.9%.
This recent surge in college enrollment rates among Burmese Americans is indicative of overcoming a broader trend in educational attainment, marking a significant win for Asian Americans in higher education.
The report also highlights the success of BACI’s Upward College Program, which has achieved a 100% higher education enrollment rate for students in the program. Founded in 2011, the program helps high schoolers prepare for college, taking into account the inequities that pose challenges to many Burmese students.
According to BACI, Burmese American enrollment has risen from an 88% enrollment rate pre-pandemic to a groundbreaking 94.4%.
This data speaks to a larger accomplishment with the increased enrollment of Southeast Asian American students, a demographic that has historically been underrepresented in higher education.
In high school, Asian American students generally exhibit high graduation rates, but individual subethnic groups demonstrate starkly different patterns. In 2016, the National Center for Education Statistics reported that the high school dropout rate among 16 to 24-year-old Asian Americans was 29.7% for Burmese Americans.
Pew Research Center highlighted striking differences in education attainment among Asian Americans ages 25 and older in a 2019 report. Data showed that only 15% of Bhutanese Americans, 18% of Laotian Americans, and 23% of Hmong and Burmese Americans attained a bachelor’s degree.
Disparities in educational attainment correspond with disparities in median household income. Pew Research Center also reports that the overall median household income for Asian American families was $85,800 in 2019. However, the median incomes for specific subethnic groups, specifically Southeast Asian groups, were significantly lower, with Burmese families at $44,400 and Nepalese families earning $55,000.
The disaggregated data reveals the persisting educational disparities and inequities that continue to adversely impact Asian Americans, specifically Southeast Asian students.
As highlighted by BACI’s commitment to fostering a culture of empowerment through education, targeted strategies are needed to recognize and support the diverse experiences of students, ensuring educational equity.
Burmese Americans’ increased presence in higher education illustrates a powerful narrative of resilience, while also underscoring the need for expanded efforts toward educational equity.
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