An analysis done between 2018 through 2022 by the New York Equity Coalition found that public schools in the state, especially those considered to be high-needs districts, are having trouble retaining teachers of color.  

Additionally, the so-called Big 5 schools, which include New York City, Buffalo, Yonkers, Rochester and Syracuse, along with charter schools, also had low retention rates.

According to the deputy director of the Education Trust-New York, Jeff Smink, seeing teachers of color in the workforce is critically important to students of color.

“Number one, students of color can see themselves reflected in the teaching workforce,” Smink said. “We know that has huge implications, just being able to see themselves as a future teacher, a future community leader.”

Smink told Capital Tonight that, additionally, there is research that shows having a diverse teaching workforce will reduce drop-out and suspension rates; improve academic outcomes and mitigate stereotypes. 

Unfortunately, diversity in New York’s teaching workforce is at a deficit: statewide, 77% of teachers are white, while 42% of students are of color. 

“It’s even worse when you look at places like Rochester, where I’m from,” said Smink. “Eighty-six-percent of students in the Rochester City School District are of color; 76% of teachers are white.”

According to the New York Equity Coalition’s analysis, there is a 9%-point gap between the retention rates of white teachers and teachers of color in high-needs districts. Teachers of color are also disproportionately placed in schools that have low retention rates, which perpetuates the problem. 

It’s not clear, said Smink, if teachers are leaving the profession altogether or are leaving to take different teaching jobs; however, only 1% of teachers of color leave teaching to take leadership positions within the district that they teach. 

“Some of it is salaries, and we know teaching has become even more difficult in recent years with the pandemic,” Smink said. “But particularly for teachers of color, we find that many are the only teachers of color in their district. It can be isolating.”

New York state has already invested in teacher support, including financial incentives, student loan relief and programs like “Grow Your Own.” Smink wants greater investments in these programs as well as teacher residency programs, including the “Teacher Opportunity Corps.”