Research shows when Black students have Black teachers who reflect their experiences and worldviews, they perform better in school. When they have two Black teachers, they are 32% more likely to go to college.
In fact, all students benefit from increased teacher diversity. A teacher corps that better mirrors our diverse student population brings more opportunities for educational experiences that counter racism, promote cross-cultural understanding and prepare our children for a fast-changing world.
But due to the severe shortage of Black teachers, far too many students go through 13 years of public schooling without a single Black teacher. As a result, Black students continue to fall short of their academic potential, and the achievement gap widens.
The Center for Black Educator Development builds academic pathways, offers professional learning opportunities and advocates for policies to address this national crisis and ensure all students have access to the highest quality education.
