Studies: U.S. Teachers Nowhere as Diverse as Their Students

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New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina speaks with students Carlos Cruz and Lluvia Hernandez (both 12) while visiting J.H.S. 088 Peter Rouget school in Brooklyn for an announcement for the new initiative called "Learning Partners Program" on April 7, 2014 in New York City.. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (2014 Getty Images via Fox News Latino)
New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina speaks with students Carlos Cruz and Lluvia Hernandez (both 12) while visiting J.H.S. 088 Peter Rouget school in Brooklyn for an announcement for the new initiative called “Learning Partners Program” on April 7, 2014 in New York City.. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (2014 Getty Images via Fox News Latino)

About 23% of U.S. public school students are Hispanic, but only 8% of teachers are Hispanic, too, according to new studies, Fox News Latino reports via the Associated Press.

Overall, 48% of public school students are minorities, but less than 20% of teachers are minorities.

This is a so-called “diversity gap” and more should be done to help teachers more accurately mirror the students in their classrooms, according to the study developers, the Center for American Progress and the National Education Association.

According to the article:

Teachers are always pushing their students to excel, said Kevin Gilbert, coordinator of teacher leadership and special projects for the Clinton Public School District in Clinton, Mississippi.

It becomes easier for students to believe “when they can look and see someone who looks just like them, that they can relate to,” said Gilbert, a member of the NEA’s executive committee. “Nothing can help motivate our students more than to see success standing right in front of them.”

Read more here.

By The Numbers By The Numbers

25.1

percent

of Latinos remain without health insurance coverage

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