Latinos for Education highlights the importance of this legislation to close racial equity gaps for students of color by creating a strong and diverse educator workforce
Boston, Massachusetts – The Massachusetts Educator Diversity Act (H.549/S.311) – groundbreaking legislation that seeks to strengthen the Massachusetts educator workforce and address growing shortages of ethnically and racially diverse educators in the Commonwealth – was favorably voted out of the Joint Education Committee last week.
Amanda Fernandez, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Latinos for Education – who has championed the bill along with a broad coalition of school district leaders, higher education institutions, teacher preparation programs, and education nonprofits – issued the following statement on the favorable reporting:
“We would like to thank the Chairs of the Joint Committee on Education, Sen. Jason M. Lewis and Rep. Denise C. Garlick, Rep. Alice Peisch as well as Vice Chairs, Sen. Sal N. DiDomenico and Rep. Steven Ultrino, for their leadership and recognition of the importance of the Educator Diversity Act in helping shape the future of the Massachusetts educator workforce. This legislation will ensure the Commonwealth has a pathway to a strong, sustainable and diverse teaching profession. Our students, our schools, and our economy stand to benefit significantly from this bill.
Our latest report, ‘In Pursuit of Greatness: Bold Strategies to Grow a Strong and Diverse Educator Workforce,’ developed by Latinos for Education, MassINC, and BU Wheelock Educational Policy Center, revealed that without substantial state investments in educator diversity, the gap between teachers of color and students of color will significantly widen by 2030. While Massachusetts’ student population is much more racially and ethnically diverse today — and will continue to be in the future — the state is not training and hiring educators of color at the same rate. As a result, too many students are without educators who share their background and experiences.
The Educator Diversity Act will help school districts make vast improvements towards closing the representation gap and addressing the increasing shortage of teachers. Specifically, the bill will allow for multiple pathways to certification, streamline how the state and districts collect and report educator diversity data, and give school districts the resources they need to recruit, hire and retain more qualified educators of color. We look forward to working with the Massachusetts legislature to make sure this bill becomes law to ensure the success of all students in the Commonwealth.”
To learn more about the Educator Diversity Act, visit: www.latinosforeducation.org/educator-diversity-act/
###
About Latinos for Education:
Latinos for Education is a national education non-profit organization focused on developing, placing, and connecting essential Latino talent in the education sector. The organization is mobilizing a network of skilled education leaders to ensure the voice of students and families is not only heard but factored into decision-making in schools, communities, and education institutions throughout the U.S. The organization also ensures Latino education professionals have access to a nationwide network of peers as well as career and professional development opportunities across the country through the members-only EdCentro network. For more information visit: https://www.latinosforeducation.org.
Media Relations Contact:
Anthony Perez
714-623-2650
[email protected]
