ABSTRACT
This chapter explains the differences in the academic responses of castelike and immigrant minorities and the resulting differences in achievement. In accounting for these differences, it reviews the importance of the diversity in their perceptions, interpretations, responses, and the reasons behind them although both types of minorities face similar problems in school and society. Of particular interest among the many differences between castelike and immigrant minorities are the twin-phenomena of identity and cultural frame of reference. Among castelike minorities both the identity system and the cultural frame of reference are in opposition to those of the dominant group. The potential barrier to academic success is the inferior education given to the immigrants. Ethnographic studies reveal that Chinese and Punjabi parents make it clear to their children that it is very important for them to work hard to succeed in school in order to improve their employment and economic chances in the future.
