The Six Barriers to Racial Equity in Teacher Education Programs

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Five
  In Roundtable Session: Division K Section 8 Roundtable (Table 14)

Abstract

This study explores how teacher education program (TEP) policies and practices may impact the well-being of teacher candidates of Color. Too little is known about the racialized experiences of teacher candidates. Interviews and focus groups with systemwide TEP leaders and TEP students of Color in California were conducted to understand if and how TEPs foster a healthy racial climate and how that climate impacts students of Color. Using the Kohli et al. (2022) healthy racial climate in TEPs model as a theoretical framework, six barriers to racial equity in TEPs were identified: 1) compositional diversity within TEPs; 2) financial burden; 3) capitalistic values of TEPs; 4) community & culture within TEPs; 5) TEP curriculum & pedagogy; and 6) testing requirements.

Authors

• Kai Monet Mathews, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Cathy Balfe, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Earl J. Edwards, Boston College
  Presenting Author

• Erika Yagi, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author

• Christopher Mauerman, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author