Teaching Quality & Diversity

Sample Questions to Ask

• How does the assignment of novice teachers, ineffective teachers, or long-term substitutes to students differ across student groups and/or across schools in our district?
• Does each student in our district have access to teaching practices that are engaging, culturally relevant, and standards-aligned?
• Do retention rates differ for teachers of color and linguistically diverse teachers, compared to other teachers?

See our DIY District Diagnostic for more examples and recommendations about the types of data to look at.

What Does the Data Say About Teaching Quality & Diversity?

This interactive data resource can help deepen your understanding of how dimensions of resource equity like school funding play out in schools and districts across the country.

As you navigate these stories, you’ll learn how system shifts can lead to more equitable and better student experiences and outcomes. Then, take action by reflecting on the inequities that exist within your system and consider ways to drive transformational change to help your highest-need students.

Take Action With Our Diagnostic Tools

1. Use our Resource Equity Diagnostic: Self-Assessment tool to start conversations and build shared understanding across teams.
2. Then, analyze your data to better understand the state of resource equity in your district. First, use our Diagnostic Blueprints to learn about what types of analyses to conduct. Then, input your district data into our DIY Analysis Tools to complete these analyses and make meaning of the results.
3. Prioritize areas for further inquiry and identify potential root causes and actions using our District Guidebook.

Common Causes of Inequity

• Non-Strategic Assignment Practices: Because of a lack of incentives, recognition, and opportunities for growth, the strongest teachers may not find roles in the highest need schools to be attractive or sustainable.
• Poor Working Conditions: Challenging workloads or school climates can reduce teachers’ morale and retention and interfere with the quality of teaching practices.
• Flawed Hiring Practices: When teacher pipelines and hiring practices are flawed and/or biased, districts can struggle to recruit a sufficiently high-potential and diverse applicant pool.

Related Dimensions

No single dimension of education resource equity can unlock every student’s potential—but when dimensions are combined to meet students’ distinct needs, they are a strong foundation for unlocking better, more equitable experiences in school.

Explore the School Leadership Quality & Diversity dimension, as school leaders make many of the decisions that shape teacher performance, hiring and retention.