US teachers are nowhere near as diverse as their students; groups commit to turn that around

WASHINGTON – New research shows that U.S. teachers are nowhere near as diverse as their students.

The diversity gap comes as the number of minority students in public schools is on the rise. Almost half the students in the public system are minorities.

Studies from the Center for American Progress and the National Education Association point out that only 18 per cent of the teachers in the public school system are nonwhite.

The NEA, the Education Department, the American Federal of Teachers and others are committed to turning around those numbers.

Teachers and advocates say minority students can be helped by seeing successful teachers in the classroom.