As student enrollments in U.S. public schools continue to become increasingly diverse, it is imperative that the demographics of the teaching population become diverse as well (Lewis, 2006). As such, this study provides an examination of the status of minority teachers in U.S. public schools. It has three interrelated objectives: to document the…

This review of the literature on the concept ally and ally identity development was inspired by a qualitative study exploring the identities and social justice values of prospective teachers of color. Although the participants in the original study never used the term "ally," their narratives inspired me to characterize them as allies in the…

Explores ethnic diversity in the teaching force, questioning whether it is desirable. Information is presented from a 1990 conference, "Staffing Texas Schools with an Ethnically Diverse Teaching Force," which focused on recruitment and retention of minority teachers and developed recommendations to enhance cultural diversity in the…

Discusses a project using cooperative learning as a tool for building learning communities of minority teachers in Texas, describing academic achievement, self-esteem, social skills, and collaboration in relation to 50 teachers participating in the project. Cooperative learning and teacher empowerment brought teachers closer together in a short…

Describes the Houston Independent School District's support program involving pairs of beginning and mentor teachers and several professional development specialists who support and train the mentors and help the novice teachers on a personal basis. The specialists are an important factor in retention and development of first year teachers,…

Describes Texas'"Enhancing the Quality and Retention of Minority Teachers and Teachers in Critical Shortage Areas Project" which uses peer coaching in teacher training, incorporating accountability, assistance, and professional development systems. Peer coaching helps support first year teachers by promoting their professional and…

A Texas project provided a realistic recruitment model for minority teacher candidates. Precollege students attended casual group discussions with minority university students and an event involving discussions with university and public school staff and students (including minorities). This model let them realize college is attainable and…

Discusses problems in attracting and retaining qualified minority group teachers. Some reasons minority teachers leave school districts are lack of an induction process, isolation from other faculty members, economics, and diminishing prestige of teaching. Recommendations involving universities, public schools, state legislators and agencies,…

Describes a University of Texas project for increasing the pool of future minority teachers. Academically knowledgeable secondary students who lacked skills for coping with minimum competency testing were given "The Effective Test Performance Study Guide" to help prepare for standardized testing. Results indicate the guide contributed to…

Examines problems faced by first year teachers, focusing on the shortage of well-qualified minority group beginning teachers. Recommendations for inducting and retaining an ethnically diverse teaching force are offered, emphasizing the roles of public school educators, university personnel, state legislators and agencies, and advocacy and…

Describes the successful University of North Texas Minority Teacher Recruitment Program's transitional experience for recruiting minority two-year college and high school students via a five-week, university-based summer session. Recommendations to colleges of education include promote forgivable loan programs; prioritize low student transfer…

Discusses the shortage of minority teachers in the United States and in Texas. Recruitment and retention in teacher education can be improved with financial aid, partnerships between two- and four-year institutions, articulation between universities and public school systems, and establishment of a university climate that rewards minority…

Presents information from a Texas conference which examined the problems of creating an ethnically diverse teaching force. Recommendations for recruiting culturally diverse students into teaching are provided, focusing on the role of public school educators, university personnel, state legislators, education agency personnel, educational…

Examines the impact of Texas' student competency testing (done before admission to teacher education programs and teacher certification) on faculty ethnic composition. Statistics indicate only 5 percent of American teachers will be minorities in 2000. Recruitment and retention of minorities in teacher education and development of nondiscriminatory…

Discusses issues involved in preparing teachers for an ethnically diverse pupil population. Recommendations for improving the preparation of an ethnically diverse teaching force are made for public school educators, university personnel, state legislators and educational agency personnel, educational organizations, and community and business…