In Allentown, 77% of the students in the ASD are minorities, while only 7% of the teachers are minorities. Looks like the minorities are really the majority, as far student population goes. Apparently Bethlehem and Easton hire more minority teachers than Allentown, according to the Morning Call article
http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b1_5asd.6479458jun27,0,5602646.storyThe article quotes an Hispanic teacher from the Bethlehem School District who says that she knows people, including herself who were not even considered to teach in Allentown, even though they were highly qualified. They easily found positions elsewhere. Well, this makes me think, if Allentown is purposely excluding highly qualified minority candidates then that is really bad news. Need more info on that before I can reach a conclusion.
I think a teaching staff, and an administrative staff should be diverse. I think it's a bonus for students to have role models (teachers) who are from their culture, but I don't think it is necessary for learning. A really good teacher sets the bar really high, and challenges all students. That has nothing to do with one's cultural background. When I taught in the district 7 yrs. ago, there seemed to be a diverse staff at the middle school level. I think the article leaves out some important factors.
First of all the district employs many paraprofessionals (teacher's aides) who play important roles and interact with students every day. I have seen minorities as paras at every school I have taught at in the district. Also, in every elementary school I have seen business partnerships with the community where professionals volunteer to read with students and interact with them. Many of these inner city professionals work at PPL and many are minorities.
There are other programs like CIS (Communities in Schools).
http://www.cisnet.org/So I think the kids do interact with good role models from different cultures.
The article also mentions that many young teachers start in Allentown and use it as a springboard to teaching in the suburbs. This may be true because discipline is an issue in Allentown. Money is also an issue. Lack of supplies and other poor conditions. It's not the ideal teaching or learning environment. But I think the administrators need to work on a stricter discipline policy so the burden doesn't fall so heavy on the teachers.
A huge factor here is that parents need to be better role models and read to their kids, and take care of their kids, and prepare them for school. Even if the district hires more minority teachers, it's not going to fix the problem of so many kids coming to school without basic needs being met, with little or no skills, and with poor behavior.