Representation Matters
New York State is home to one of the most diverse student populations in the country.
Yet the makeup of the state’s teacher workforce falls far short in representing the rich diversity of its students, leaving many students of color without access to teachers of the same race or ethnicity as them.
Despite bodies of research that show access to diverse teachers is important for all students and efforts to improve diversity across the state, this new analysis shows that between the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 school years New York failed to move the needle in cultivating a more diverse teacher workforce.
Celebrating progress on educator diversity in New York State
Although there remains work to enhance educator diversity in New York, it is crucial to acknowledge and draw lessons from the progress made across the state in offering increased opportunities for teachers and school leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Our latest report on educator diversity draws lessons from how the New York State Education Department (NYSED), local school districts, institutions of higher education, schools, and advocates are working toward improving educator diversity and retaining teachers of color.
Photo by Allison Shelley for EDUimages
Educator Diversity Playbook
Seeking Solutions
Read more about these recommendations in the full Representation Matters report