The Teach to Lead Summit and the Conference on Equity in Opportunity aim to promote educator diversity in American schools.
The Teach to Lead Summit and the Conference on Equity in Opportunity aim to promote educator diversity in American schools.
The United States Department of Education has announced two key conventions, set to begin on Oct. 26, in Denver, Colorado, aimed at advancing educator diversity in the country’s schools.
These events – the Teach to Lead Summit and the Conference on Equity in Opportunity – strive to promote educator diversity in American schools, the groups announced.
These gatherings will bring together prominent figures in education for extensive discussions on the crucial role of diversity in US schools.
The department’s objective is to unite leaders toward effective educator development, engage in dialogues on key diversity-related issues, and extract valuable insights from educators and organizations on enhancing educator diversity within the nation’s educational institutions.
“To enhance the learning environment in our schools, we must ensure that every student, regardless of their community, has equal access to exceptional educators who reflect the diversity of their surroundings,” said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a statement.
He added that these events will serve as platforms for educators, school leaders, and local and state officials to exchange innovative strategies for diversifying and enriching the educator workforce.
Nurturing a diverse teacher pipeline
The Teach to Lead initiative, launched in March 2014, is a teacher-led effort in partnership with the department, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, and Teach Plus.
On Oct. 27, the department will host the next Teach to Lead Summit in Denver. Educators will collaborate to nurture a diverse teacher pipeline, forming partnerships with educational institutions and enhancing teacher development for improved student learning.
The initiative envisions a world in which teachers are recognized as foremost experts in instruction, guiding policy and practice to improve student learning. Over 180 diverse supporting organizations endorse this effort.
Sharing successful practices
Simultaneously, the first Conference on Equity in Opportunity will take place from Oct. 26 to 27 also in Denver. The conference will bring together experts to discuss workforce diversity in education and share successful practices.
These events align with Cardona’s “Back to School Bus Tour 2023: Raise the Bar,” which emphasizes the Administration’s commitment to aiding students post-pandemic and supporting educators. The tour will highlight academic and mental health programs and efforts to recruit and support educators, funded by President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan.
A recent policy brief titled “Raise the Bar: Eliminating Educator Shortages through Increased Compensation, High-Quality, and Affordable Preparation and Teacher Leadership” outlines steps taken by states to bolster teacher recruitment, preparation, and retention.
The pandemic resulted in the loss of 730,000 local public education jobs, or 9 percent, from February to May 2020. While recovery has varied by state, at the national level, there are now only 1.2 percent fewer individuals working in local public education than before the pandemic.
The department has announced awards exceeding $45 million to support teacher diversity and recruitment initiatives. This includes $18 million for the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence Program, $14.5 million for Teacher Quality Partnership grants, and $12.7 million for Supporting Effective Educator Development.
