Report Identifies Student Diversity in U.S. Colleges of Education by Race and Ethnicity

(February 26, 2019, Washington, D.C.) – Education Students and Diversity: A Review of New Evidence, an issue brief released today by the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), provides new information on student diversity in U.S. colleges of education. As a supplement to AACTE’s signature report, Colleges of Education: A National Portrait, the new issue brief draws from a recently released U.S. Department of Education survey—The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. It examines the characteristics of students working toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, compares these students to the general student population, and identifies key differences by race/ethnicity.

The issue brief presents newly available data on the following topics for education students in bachelor’s and master’s degree programs:

• Personal characteristics
• Family circumstances
• Parental education
• Financial status
• Employment
• Attendance patterns

“AACTE members are committed to increasing the diversity of their faculty and the students they prepare so that educators more accurately reflect the diversity within PK-12 schools,” said AACTE President and CEO Lynn M. Gangone. “As AACTE looks to the future, this issue brief documents significant challenges that all schools, colleges, and departments of education around the country will face as they prepare professionals for increasingly diverse and complex educational environments. AACTE believes this issue brief will assist deans and program chairs as they navigate and manage an ever-changing educator preparation landscape.”

The issue brief suggests that African American and Hispanic education students face significant financial and personal hurdles as they work to become professional educators. The findings also challenge schools, colleges, and departments of education to carefully consider how to support students as they pursue both academic and clinical preparation. Learn more about the issue brief at aacte.org.

On March 7 at 1:00 p.m. EST, author and education policy expert Jacqueline E. King, Ph.D., will present a webinar summarizing the findings of this new research for AACTE members only. Media reporters are invited to conduct one-on-one interviews with King. To request media interviews or additional information, email Jerrica Thurman at jthurman@aacte.org.

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About AACTE

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based preparation that assures educators are profession-ready as they enter the classroom. The 800 member institutions include public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Through advocacy and capacity building, AACTE promotes innovation and effective practices that strengthen educator preparation. Learn more at aacte.org.