State-Of-Black-Oregon-2015

MORE DIVERSE EDUCATORS IMPROVE OUTCOMESStudies show that Black students whohad at least one Black teacher before fifthgrade scored higher on reading and mathtests. Stressing cultural identity in schoolswith educators of color improves studentengagement and achievement. 15The percentage of Black teachers isdecreasing, while the achievement gapbetween Black and White students isgrowing.The number of diverse, culturally responsiveK-12 educators can be increased byhelping teacher education programs todiversify their faculty ranks. At the sametime, we must provide authentic, culturallyrelevant pedagogy to all future teachers.More support is also needed to expand andreplicate efforts like the Portland TeachersProgram (a partnership among PortlandPublic Schools, Portland State University,Portland Community College and BeavertonSchool District), which has been producingteachers of color for over 25 years. Theseteachers work in their communities and haveformed a strong alumni association thatcontributes to the recruitment and retentionof teachers of color. 16In 2011 and 2012,26%of Oregon’s publichigh school graduateswere students of color.In the 2015-2016school year,31%of Oregon publicschool graduates willbe students of color.Between 2003 and 2013,students of color increased12%in public schools.During the 2015-2016school year,91.7%of teachers were White,while Whites made up64.7%of the students.Black teachers made up0.6%of all teachers, whileBlack students made up2.5%of all students.49