The findings add to the ongoing discussion over how to diversify the education field as the nation’s student population becomes less white. Multiple studies have also shown benefits for students of color when they attend schools with educators of the same race. For example, earlier research found schools with more black teachers or a black principal have greater numbers of black students in gifted programs.
“Even though more diversity in the teacher and principal workforce has been shown to improve teacher retention and student outcomes, our findings indicate that there are still systematic race- and gender-based inequities within the profession,” Guthery, an assistant professor of education, said in a comment.
