Tips for Creating Affirming School Cultures

Oct 21, 2021, 1:56 PM

(From the 74 Million) A growing body of research underscores the importance of teacher diversity for student outcomes, yet the representation gap between teachers and students of color remains wide. To identify solutions, the Center for Black Educator Development and Teach Plus jointly released a new report that identifies key recommendations for fostering more welcoming school environments for employees of color. Some first steps may be holding meetings and launching surveys through which parents can share their voices, so that schools may use that data to inform changes in school policies and everyday practices. The authors also recommend that schools provide opportunities for employees of color to participate in mentorship programs and focus groups to debrief their experiences, especially in schools with majority-white faculty.