The Imperative for Teachers of Color in the Schools of the U.S.

Since 1986 the condition of the U.S. teaching workforce has changed very little regarding its racial ethnic composition. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2003), the number of teachers from disenfranchised minority groups (teachers of color) nationwide is not representative of the number of students from those minority groups. For example, in 2001-02, NCES data shows that 60% of public school students were White, 17% Black, 17% Hispanic, 4% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 1 % American Indian/ Alaska Native. In contrast, 2001 data shows that 90% of public school teachers were White, 6% Black, and fewer than 5% of other races. In summary the national rate stands at roughly 90% White teachers compared to 10% minority teachers. While the student ratios are 60% white compared with 40% minorities. Some 40% of schools had no teachers of color on stajf (NCDTF, 2004)