PSU Magazine Winter 1989

Future Educators The number of ethnic minority students is increasing in Oregon, yet fewer ethnic minorities are choosing teaching as a career. F or every 100 children who start first grade in Oregon, 28 will not graduate from high school with their peers. For children of ethnic minority groups the dropout rate is even higher. "Thi s has immense ramifications for society," said Robert Everhart , dean of the PSU School of Education. "Without basic knowledge and skjll s to become self– sustaining members of their communities, these child ren can have a tremendous impact on our criminal justice system , social welfare services and the work force pool." And the problem could compound itse lf. Across the nati on - and in Oregon - the popul ation of ethnic minority students is grow ing rapidly. At the same time , the number of ethn ic minority teachers in schoo ls is declining. "This is a very real concern fo r all educators, from elementary sc hools to uni versities ," said Everhart. '"Research shows that there is a direct link between pos iti ve role mode ls and the success of students in school. If the trend continues , there wi ll be fewe r and fewe r teacher role mode ls from ethnic or minority backgrounds. "The cu1Tent teaching environment sends a profound message to students of ethnic or minority groups abo ut who can and cannot be a teacher. Gi ven that, we need to change the makeup of the teaching profess ion to be more refl ecti ve of a di ver e soc iety. " T wo years ago , Portl and State, Portland Public Schools and Portl and Community College formed a unique partner hi p to confro nt the problem head-on. by Chris Normandin ''All three institutions were struggling with a common concern : how to attract ethnic minorities into teaching," said Mary Kinnick, assistant professor, PSU School of Education. "A group of individuals from the Portland Public Schools, PCC and PSU met to di scuss the issue. We were concerned Deadra Hall, (MS'86) third-grade reacher ar Boise-Elior school in Norrh Parr/and, is one of rhe l l percem erhnic minorirv Teachers in rhe Parr/and School districr. PSU 9 L