Teachers play a vital role in establishing the culture of a school. These questions are designed to help you understand a school's ability to recruit and retain a diverse teaching staff, which will help you better understand the health of a school’s environment.
Male students have lower test scores, graduate high school at lower rates, and receive higher rates of disciplinary acts than female students. Research suggests that having more male role models in academic positions may benefit young men in numerous ways. Use these questions to determine if the school you are considering has a representative teaching staff.
Questions Regarding Gender:
*Please choose the questions that are the most relevant for you and your child.
How many teachers identify as female?
- How many are returning from the last school year?
- What subjects do they teach?
How many teachers identify as male?
- How many are returning from the last school year?
- What subjects do they teach?
How many teachers are non-gender conforming?
- How many are returning from last school year?
- What subjects do they teach?
How many school leadership/administrative positions are at the school?
- How many members of the leadership team identify as female?
- How many members of the leadership team identify as male?
- How many members of the leadership team are non-gender conforming?
What are the demographics of the teachers or coaches running non-academic programs or activities?
Things to Consider:
- If an administrator is hesitant answering these questions, explain to the administrator the importance of having a representative staff (refer to Research or DC information on Gender).
- DC public charter schools are not required to follow these FOIA laws. (You may request information from the DC Public Charter School Board directly, but the information is not guaranteed to be released).
- DCPS is required to give the public information regarding its teachers due to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
- An administrator who is able to provide concrete information about the demographics of their teachers may be an indicator of a diverse/representative teaching staff.