There is a demographic mismatch between teachers and students across California’s public schools. The most recent data from the California Department of Education indicated that while 77% of students are Asian American, Black, Latino, and/or Native American, only 39% of their teachers are.
Bristol, T.J. "How to Diversify California's Educator Workforce." Edsource, (2022).
Greater proportions of ethnoracially matched teachers decreases the likelihood of suspension for Black, Latinx, and Asian American students. The magnitudes of these effects are small but suggest that diversifying the teacher workforce could lead to significant decreases in exclusionary discipline in urban districts.
Shirrell, M., Bristol, T.J., & Britton, T.A. "The Effects of Student-Teacher Ethnoracial Matching on Exclusionary Discipline for Asian American, Black, and Latinx Students: Evidence From New York City." EdWorkingPaper, 21-475, (2021).
This articles explains why teachers of color are important to the teaching workforce: Teachers of color force classrooms to break down negative stereotypes, help students understand and confront racism, and prepare students to live in a multicultural society.
Edutopia, (2020).
