Amid intensifying federal pressure against diversity and attacks on our multiracial democracy, SEARAC supports the reintroduction of the All Students Count Act of 2026 to ensure Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities are seen in education data.
SEARAC affirms the need for student information to be collected responsibly, with strong safeguards to ensure data are protected and used only to improve educational access and outcomes for students and their families.
The All Students Count Act, led in the Senate by Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and in the House by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), would require the federal government to collect and report student performance data that are disaggregated by distinct AANHPI ethnic groups. Today, AANHPI communities are grouped into broad categories that hide differences in student experiences and outcomes.
The bill would require separate reporting for the following communities:
- Chinese
- Asian Indian
- Filipino
- Japanese
- Korean
- Vietnamese
- Pakistani
- Cambodian
- Hmong
- Lao/Laotian
- Thai
- Taiwanese
- Burmese
- Bangladeshi
- Nepalese
- To the furthest extent possible, additional subgroups such as the Iu Mien and Montagnards
For Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, the following expanded ethnicity categories would be required:
- Native Hawaiian
- Samoan
- Chamorro
- Tongan
- iTaukei
- Marshallese
- To the furthest extent possible, additional subgroups such as Chuukese and Palauan
“Protecting Southeast Asian American and other AANHPI students’ right to be seen is more important than ever, especially during AANHPI Heritage Month when we are called to reflect on the strength and diversity of our communities,” said Quyên Đinh, Executive Director at SEARAC. “Our students have navigated overlapping crises, from COVID-19, to rising anti-Asian hate and targeting by ICE, and the impacts are still felt in classrooms today. In order to address our communities’ needs, their lived experiences must be seen in federal data. SEARAC thanks Sen. Hirono and Rep. Jayapal for their continued leadership in championing the All Students Count Act.”
See a list of endorsing organizations here.
Media contact: Elaine Sanchez Wilson | elaine@searac.org
