Date: 01/21/2015

Final
CDE report: Minority Teacher Recruitment and Retention

COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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11:13 AM -- CDE report: Minority Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Jill Hawley, representing CDE, introduced the report on Minority Teacher Recruitment and Retention, conducted by Augenblick Palaich and Associates (APA).

Robert Reichardt, representing APA, introduced Abby McClelland and Sarah Wool, also representing APA. Mr. Reichardt discussed the study and characterized it as a collaborative effort with partners. He discussed the slide presentation (Attachment E), report (Attachment F), and executive summary (Attachment G). He explained that minority teachers have different experiences depending on geography, which minority group they belong to, and other factors. Mr. Reichardt stressed that solutions are local and must match context of schools and districts. He discussed the difference between recruitment and retention and explained that 10 percent of Colorado teachers are minorities while 43 percent of students belong to minority groups. He defined the term "minority" as including all non-white individuals. He explained that demographics in Colorado are changing rapidly, that our neighbor states have 50 percent or more minority students, and that Colorado will probably join them soon. He discussed APA's methodology in conducting the study. He explained that each district has different assets and challenges, and that programs put forward to solve problems need to match the contexts in which districts operate.

JtEd0121AttachE.pdfJtEd0121AttachE.pdf JtEd0121AttachF.pdfJtEd0121AttachF.pdf JtEd0121AttachG.pdfJtEd0121AttachG.pdf

Mr. Reichardt mentioned the following barriers to recruiting minority teachers: negative perceptions of the teaching profession, low salaries, and retirement systems. Mr. Reichardt responded to questions from the committee. He explained that minority teachers are generally retained at lower rates than white teachers and discussed supports for new teachers (or lack thereof) that lead to them leaving the profession, especially those that teach in low income/high minority schools. Mr. Reichardt discussed problems throughout the recruitment/retention pipeline and responded to questions from the committee. He mentioned problems with programs' sustainability, particularly recruitment or retention programs that depend on grant funding. Mr. Reichardt responded to questions regarding barriers to recruitment and retention. He mentioned higher education barriers, licensure tests, and work environments that are not always welcoming to minority teachers.


11:35 AM

Mr. Reichardt continued to respond to questions from the committee, then continued his presentation and spoke about recruitment strategies. He emphasized recruitment at every career stage as important to increase the number of minority teachers. He discussed retention strategies and told the committee those strategies are the same for minority teachers as they are for retaining all teachers. Mr. Reichardt discussed his recommendations and responded to questions from the committee.


11:55 AM

Mr. Reichardt continued to respond to questions from the committee.


12:07 PM

Representative Buckner offered closing comments.


12:08 PM

The committee adjourned.