[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE DIVERSE TEACHERS RECRUITMENT ACT OF 2011

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                          HON. SUSAN A. DAVIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2011

  Mrs. DAVIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support the 
effort to bring more diversity to our national teaching force.
  Striking statistics compiled by the Department of Education show a 
lack of diversity among teachers. During the 2007-2008 school year, an 
estimated 7 percent of teachers were African American, 7 percent were 
Latino, and 1.2 percent were Asian. More than 83 percent of teachers 
were white. A total of 75.9 percent of teachers were female and only 
24.1 percent male.
  Some experts believe this lack of diversity leaves some students 
without an inspiring role model to whom they can relate. The result may 
be lower test scores and higher drop-out rates within some student 
demographics.
  I am introducing the Diverse Teachers Recruitment Act of 2011 to 
address this lack of diversity. The legislation provides grants to 
school districts to create and implement recruitment programs to bring 
teachers from underrepresented groups into the classroom.
  The grantee will track and compile data showing results of the 
program, including minority teacher recruitment rates. Data will also 
include the impact on student learning, growth, and attendance rates.
  The Department of Education will analyze the programs and disseminate 
which were effective in recruiting teachers from underrepresented 
groups. Successful results could be replicated in other school 
districts.
  It is a worthwhile effort to bring teachers from underrepresented 
groups into our classrooms. This legislation begins a national effort 
to build a teaching force that reflects the diverse population of the 
United States to enhance the learning experience of our students.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I urge consideration of the bill.

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