Studies highlight teacher-student ‘diversity gap’

*This matters. 48 percent of students in U.S. public schools are not white. Of the 3.3 million teachers in America’s public schools, only eighteen percent are racial, ethnic or cultural minorities. It matters for children to see themselves reflected in the success of their teachers. VL

By Jesse J. Holland, The Boston Globe

WASHINGTON — US teachers are nowhere near as diverse as their students: Almost half the students attending public schools are minorities, yet fewer than 1 in 5 of their teachers is not white, according to two new studies.

The studies from the Center for American Progress and the National Education Association are calling attention to this ‘‘diversity gap’’ at elementary and secondary schools in the United States. The groups want more to be done to help teachers more accurately mirror the students in their classrooms.

Teachers are always pushing their students to excel, said Kevin Gilbert, coordinator of teacher leadership and special projects for the Clinton Public School District in Clinton, Miss. It becomes easier for students to believe ‘‘when they can look and see someone who looks just like them, that they can relate to,’’ said Gilbert, a member of the education association’s executive committee. ‘‘Nothing can help motivate our students more than to see success standing right in front of them.’’

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[Photo www.audio-luci-store.it/Flickr]

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