I've met Koreans, Japanese,Chinese,etc. I've made very good friends with many Asian kids because our parents were exactly the same, constant drumbeat of education education education and if you failed a math test it was a major event. I remember an Asian friend remarking that black kids have it easy since no one expects them to do much (how sad). But yes I've also noticed with all ethnic groups these days kids slide right down going this way and that way but not in a good direction. I'm sounding old *LOL* but it's not all hopeless. For every kid that chucks the golden opportunities of America out the window someone is there to catch it.
And there you have it. It's modeling and direction. But IMHO, it really all has to do with G-d. With faith, you just can't go wrong.