Bias-Free or Biased Hiring? Racialized Teachers' Perspectives on Educational Hiring Practices in Ontario

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Hiring Practices, Recruitment Strategies, and Retention Efforts and Their Impact on Teachers

Abstract

This paper argues that while Ontario has witnessed an onslaught of equity and inclusion educational policies aimed at diversifying teacher demographics via “bias-free” hiring practices, teachers across the province do not equitably reflect the identities and demographics of the student population. We the authors refer to this as the teacher diversity gap which refers to the discrepancy in the proportion of racialized teachers to racialized students (Hrabowski & Sanders, 2014; Turner, 2015). Through a literature review and responses of 10 educators interviewed, the research critiques the dominant narrative associated with the benefits of “bias free” hiring practices embedded in equity and inclusive policies (James & Turner, 2017; Ryan 2009).

Authors

• Zuhra Abawi, Niagara University

• Ardavan Eizadirad, Wilfrid Laurier University