Texas’ teacher workforce is more diverse than the United States, but it still doesn’t reflect the state’s students, according to a new dashboard released Tuesday by the National Council on Teacher Quality.
The dashboard shows more than 45% of Texas teachers are people of color and nearly 74% of students are people of color. Nationally, 23.3% of teachers and 54.2% of students in the United States are people of color.
This analysis is based on federal employment, census, and education demographic data. NCTQ President Heather Preske said the numbers will help states correct these gaps.
“Research shows that teachers of color produce more positive academic, social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes for all students, regardless of race,” Preske said. he told KERA. “And teachers of color provide additional benefits for students of color.”
National Council on Teacher Quality
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A report released alongside the dashboard found “worrying trends” across the country. Racial diversity in the teaching workforce is increasing more slowly than diversity among college-educated adults overall, which could mean fewer people of color pursuing careers in education There is.
In Texas, a higher percentage of teachers from historically disadvantaged groups (defined in the report as American Indian, Black, Hispanic, Islander/Pacific Indian, and two or more races) have a degree. is higher than the proportion of all working-age adults, but the gap has narrowed over the past decade.
“I can’t really explain it,” Peske said. “I have reason to be optimistic, but this area needs more research, and district leaders, state leaders, and educator preparation program leaders are asking good questions about why disparities are closing. I think this is a field where you can do that.”
Only about a quarter of teachers in Texas are male, and the number of black and Latino teachers is even smaller.
She added that several teacher preparation programs in the state are helping increase the diversity of new teachers entering the workforce.
“I think we can do a better job both in attracting candidates for teaching positions and in supporting teachers of color to stay once they are in the classroom.” she said.
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