A growing body of research shows that having a Black teacher increases students' scores on math and reading tests and increases the chance that they will graduate from college.

California has been trying to recruit and retain Black teachers for years, but the percentage of Black teachers still lags behind the percentage of Black students.

What’s keeping Black teachers from getting to and staying in the classroom? And how can we do more to support them?

Guests:

• Alicia Simba, Teacher, Oakland Unified School District
• Diana Lambert, Reporter, EdSource

Read more from EdSource:

• Disrespect, low pay, lack of support keep Black teachers out of the profession
• Bias, extra work and feelings of isolation: 5 Black teachers tell their stories
• California, districts try to recruit and retain Black teachers; advocates say more should be done

Education Beat is a weekly podcast hosted by EdSource’s Zaidee Stavely and produced by Coby McDonald.