Bridging the Gaps: How Teacher Diversity Shapes Student Achievement

• In Event: The Politics of Teaching

Abstract

Raising the educational achievement of minority students and narrowing racial/ethnic disparities are critical issues in education. This study investigates the relationship between the racial/ethnic diversity of teachers and students’ test performance. Using pass rates from standardized Mathematics, Reading, Writing, and Science tests in Arizona, we find that a higher proportion of Non-White teachers is associated with improved student test results. Specifically, a one percentage point increase in the share of minority teachers is related to a 4.36% improvement in Mathematics performance and a 5% improvement in Writing performance. Conversely, an increase in the proportion of White teachers correlates with poorer student performance. Among minority teachers, a higher share of Hispanic teachers is strongly associated with better student performance.

Authors

• Mengying Peng, Hitotsubashi University

• Margarita Pivovarova, Arizona State University

• Jeanne M. Powers, Arizona State University