ABSTRACT

In this paper, data from the 1986 follow-up of a national probability sample of 1980 high school seniors are examined: (a) to determine whether gender differences exist in the educational attainment of Asian-American youth and compare these differences with those found among other groups (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Whites), (b) to confirm that immigrant status and ethnicity account for Asian-American men’s and women’s educational attainment (as suggested by the literature), and (c) to determine if immigrant status and ethnicity are differentially related to the men’s and women’s educational attainment. The findings suggest that young Asian-American females reach high levels of educational attainment more quickly than young Asian-American males, and that the differences are particularly noteworthy among immigrants (or the children of immigrants) and Chinese Americans.