CAN MINORITY TEACHERS HELP PREVENT MINORITY DROPOUTS?

Nearly two-thirds of Texas students are minorities. And about two-thirds of their teachers are white. Could that be one of the reasons for the Lone Star State's high dropout rate? A study published by the Education Resources Information Center found that Hispanic students did better in math and reading tests when they had more Hispanic teachers. Among the reasons cited, according to a recent article in The Dallas News: Teachers better understand cultural differences and can "break down the students' stereotypes." "The heart of the question is, who is going into education and what are we doing to attract minority teachers?" said Linda Bridges, president of the teacher group Texas AFT. "The teaching force needs to look more like the students we are serving."