Michigan District Considers Paid Training to Attract Black Teachers

Black Issues in Higher Education, Jan 20, 2000

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -- Public school officials here want to team up with Western Michigan University to offer paid teacher training for African American residents who want to switch careers.

Bob Harberts, superintendent of the Battle Creek public schools, hopes to use the program to recruit more minority teachers because he says the district faces a shortage, particularly of African American teachers.

Some 105 of the district's 627 teachers are minorities. African American students make up about 32 percent of the total enrollment in grades K-12.

The program would be an intensive, paid internship with the school district. Participants would have to already have a bachelor's degree. The two-year internship would include a student teaching stint. Participants would earn 24-30 college credits.

Participants also would have to agree to stay with the district for at least one year after the program ends. The program -- which already has 14 interested candidates -- is subject to school board approval.