This makes me sick. The weak parents feel it's more important that their coddled brats feel good about themselves than put in the work and study like the Asian kids.
We don't send Tonto Junior to public school, but if we did, I'd want it to be one like these folks are "fleeing."
I know this is anecdotal, but Junior's piano teacher is an American of Korean heritage. She has very high expectations of her students, and they do a great deal of work on technique, theory, etc. It's not just "open the lesson book and move your fingers." At recitals and competitions, you can tell which ones study with her simply because they are superior to others of the same age and experience.
I have a similar tale about his Tae Kwan Do instructor.
I think the Asian success story has a lot to do with expectations that the child will succeed, and the child being equipped to do well.
It's not an ethnic secret. It's common sense.