Giving Compass' Take:

· In hopes to increase diversity and interest in the teaching profession, Education Dive reports that New York City has expanded its high school teaching program. 

· What are some challenges New York City faces with diversity? Why is it important for schools to provide students with opportunities to explore their career options?

· Read more about teacher programs and mentorships for new instructors. 

The New York City Department of Education is one of many districts facing challenges with diversity in the teaching workforce. Recognizing the importance of teacher diversity in improving student achievement, especially among students of color, school districts across the nation are looking for new ways to recruit teachers of color. They are also exploring ways to improve induction programs and support systems for teachers to improve retention rates.

Programs that allow students to explore their career options are beneficial, and those that encourage students to explore teaching as a career serve a dual purpose in creating an additional teacher pipeline.

In New York City, schools focusing on the education field allow students to gain experience in teaching while earning credits toward a future program. In Edgecombe County in North Carolina, for example, a new Scholar Teachers Program at the early college high school allows students to earn the first two years of a college degree in education while in high school and offers scholarships to help students complete the degree if they promise to return home to teach.

Read the full article about NYC's high school teaching program by Amelia Harper at Education Dive.