Given the evidence of positive effects on students of having at least one teacher who shares their race or ethnicity, state boards of education, other state policymakers, and school leaders need to recognize teachers’ race and ethnicity as markers of teacher quality. Asserting that diversity is a dimension of quality can disrupt practices that privilege one group of students over another and can level the playing field for teachers and students of color, who stand to benefit most from a diverse teaching force.


Teacher Diversity and Student Success





Also In this Issue

Image Credit: iStock

Achieving Racial Justice in PreK-12 Education

By John B. King Jr. and Denise Forte

Progress is possible. Back to normal is not good enough.





Designing for Equity

By Hal Smith

It takes a whole community to lift up policies and practices that support equity and end those that don't.





Teacher Diversity and Student Success

By Constance A. Lindsay

State policymakers should name diversity as a marker of teacher quality.





Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

By Julie Sugarman and Melissa Lazarín

State leaders should ramp up supports for EL students and their families.






Racial Justice through Expanded Choice

By Derrell Bradford

Decoupling where students receive education from where they live is key to undoing the system's racist roots.





Supporting Youth with the Most Need

By Hailly T.N. Korman

For many, the pandemic has been just one of a host of barriers to a high-quality education.





Engaging Students through Ethnic Studies

By Woody Exley

California, Connecticut, and Texas broaden their elective offerings.





District of Columbia Embeds Antiracist Lens in Update of Social Studies Standards

By Jessica Sutter and Alexander Jue

State board tees up a revision process and standards characterized by civic engagement and cultural responsiveness.








Featured Items

Diverse multiethnic kids students having break and using smartphones, sitting at desks in classroom, children playing games and checking social media at school i

Curbing Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

State boards are well positioned to create guardrails to help school districts make informed decisions on cell phone policies.
The child hands drawing the American flag. Concept of independence day, July 4. i

Civic-Ready Students

More and better civics will inspire students to become better citizens who will be equipped to participate, preserve, and defend America’s democracy and engage in reasoned, respectful discourse.

Annual Conference 2025

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