Grant Recipients: Diversifying the Education Profession
Ohio recognizes the critical importance of a diverse educator workforce. Employing more educators, especially teachers, who look like and have similar experiences as students in Ohio’s districts and schools is a priority for the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). To achieve equity and provide an effective learning environment for all students, authentic representation of the education workforce is key.
ODE is pleased to announce the Diversifying the Education Profession Grant Awardees who will engage in this work over two and a half years to implement strategies to address the diversity needs within their faculty and staff.
Ohio’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan outlines the commitment by ODE to increase the diversity of the educator workforce in Ohio. The plan notes, “This will require using data, engaging stakeholders in identifying needs, understanding current local and higher education initiatives focused on educator diversity and identifying potential opportunities and partnerships for recruiting and retaining a diverse educator workforce” (p. 93). Similarly, Ohio’s Strategic Plan for Education: Each Child, Our Future 2019-2024, outlines a goal around increasing the supply of highly effective teachers and leaders (Strategy 1) and highlights the importance of culturally-relevant teaching and instructional practices to meet the learning needs of all students.
In 2018 and 2019, ODE, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the American Institutes of Research (AIR) Center on Great Teachers and Leaders, and the Great Lakes Comprehensive Center convened the Diversifying the Education Profession in Ohio Taskforce. The group consisted of approximately 40 individuals who represented various roles and education stakeholder organizations across the state. The Taskforce developed a set of recommendations for implementing initiatives and programs to diversify the Ohio education workforce. This grant opportunity is one of several initiatives and projects that the state is undertaking as a direct result of these recommendations.
We will be sharing strategies and resources from this work on the HCRC.
Email HCRC@education.ohio.gov for questions.