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How Do Educators Feel About Staff Diversity? We Asked

December 07, 2021 1 min read
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The EdWeek Research Center conducted a nationally representative survey of educators about districts’ efforts to diversify their teaching and administrative ranks. Here are the details, including comparisons of results from white educators and educators of color.


How comfortable would you feel teaching in an environment where most of the teachers’ racial makeup differs from your own?

How comfortable would you feel teaching in an environment where most of the teachers’ racial makeup differs from your own? 64% of teachers felt very comfortable, 27% of them felt somewhat comfortable, 7% felt somewhat uncomfortable, and 3% were not at all comfortable. EdWeek Research Center survey data visualization, November 2021.

To what extent do you agree or disagree that school districts should hire or seek to hire more teachers and school administrators from historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups?

To what extent do you agree or disagree that school districts should hire or seek to hire more teachers and school administrators from historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups? 85% of educators of color agree compared to 71% of white educators.  EdWeek Research Center survey data visualization, November 2021.

How important is it for you to work in a district with a diverse TEACHER/EDUCATOR workforce?

How important is it for you to work in a district with a diverse TEACHER/EDUCATOR workforce? 89% of educators of color responded it was important, compared to 65% of white educators. EdWeek Research Center survey data visualization, November 2021.

How important is it for you to work in a district with a racially/ethnically diverse STUDENT population?

How important is it for you to work in a district with a racially/ethnically diverse STUDENT population? 81% of educators of color responded it was important, comparted to 59% of white educators. EdWeek Research Center survey data, November 2021.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: The political climate the last two years has made me want to leave my district.

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement: 
The political climate the last two years has made me want to leave my district. All respondents: 40% completely disagree, 17% somewhat disagree, 28% somewhat agree, 15% completely agree. EdWeek Research Center survey, November 2021.

How much of an effort is the school district you work for making to hire more teachers and school administrators from historically disadvantaged racial/ethnic groups?

How much of an effort is the school district you work for making to hire more teachers and school administrators from historically disadvantaged racial/ethnic groups? All respondents: No effort: 16%, Small effort 24%, Medium effort: 35%, Big effort: 25%. EdWeek Research Center survey, November 2021.

SOURCE: EdWeek Research Center survey, November 2021

A version of this article appeared in the December 08, 2021 edition of Education Week as How Do Educators Feel About School Diversity?

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