Window of Opportunity - How States and Localities Can Use Federal Rescue Plan Dollars to Diversify Their Teacher Workforce

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

Policy brief examining how state and local education agencies can use American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ARP ESSER III) funds to diversify the K-12 teacher workforce. It outlines why teacher diversity matters for student outcomes, including improved attendance, fewer suspensions, and stronger performance for historically underserved students. The brief connects the ARP opportunity to recovery fund design, proposes practical approaches to diversifying staffing, and describes promising nationwide case studies to support implementation and sustainability.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages44

Reading Time1 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Teacher Diversity Matters

The American Rescue Plan Act Opportunity

Overview of Recovery Funds

Approaches to Diversifying the Teacher Workforce

Conclusion

Endnotes

Acknowledgments

JULY 2021 Window of Opportunity How States and Localities Can Use Federal Rescue Plan Dollars to Diversify Their Teacher Workforce By Andrew J. Rotherham and Thomas Gold Photo by Allison Shelley The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages Table of Contents Click on each title below to jump directly to the corresponding section. Introduction 4 Teacher Diversity Matters 5 The American Rescue Plan Act Opportunity 11 Overview of Recovery Funds 14 Approaches to Diversifying the Teacher Workforce 21 Conclusion 38 Endnotes 39 Acknowledgments 42 About the Authors 43 About Bellwether Education Partners 43 Introduction P arents know, and research shows, that teachers are an essential part of student learning.1 Teacher effectiveness matters more to student achievement than anything else schools do. Teachers also matter in intangible ways to the student experience, and the diversity of adults that students experience is one part of their schooling. That is why as states and school districts deploy the unprecedented allocation of federal dollars in the American Rescue Plan Act signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, one option they should consider is how these dollars, $123 billion, could launch or accelerate robust efforts to diversify the K-12 teacher workforce before they sunset. Even though these are one-time dollars, used strategically these funds can help school districts and states move teacher diversity from a “what if” issue to an actual plan of action. This policy brief is a road map for local education agencies (LEAs) and state education agencies (SEAs) to use ARP Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief III (ARPESSER III) funds to build and sustain a high-quality teacher workforce that not only reflects all of America’s public school students, but is also better equipped to meet their educational needs and raise academic achievement. We first lay out some contextual issues and then offer ideas for tangible solutions policymakers and education leaders can pursue, including ways to use other federal dollars to support these efforts. We also include case studies of promising initiatives underway nationwide. [ 4 ] Bellwether Education Partners Teacher Diversity Matters O ver the past decade, new research is quantifying something many people had assumed at a gut level: Teacher diversity matters for students. In fact, it increasingly is clear all students benefit from teacher diversity — but especially historically underserved students in American education, in particular Black students. There are many reasons for this but some evidence suggests nonwhite teachers have higher expectations and a better cultural understanding of students of color than their white counterparts.2 What is more, representation matters to students of color who do better in school when they have at least one teacher of the same race that they are, resulting in higher attendance, reduced suspensions, and better performance on standardized tests.3 White students also accrue the benefits of a diverse teacher workforce, which exposes them to an inclusive environment and the opportunity to see teachers from different races and ethnicities in respected roles.4 Increasing teacher diversity can provide more perspectives and prepare students for postsecondary education and the workforce, where they will encounter the diverse tapestry of America.5 Window of Opportunity [ 5 ] There is also evidence that teacher diversity is a workforce strategy. For instance, retention of Black teachers is greater in schools with a more diverse workforce,6 which in the long term will help with overall recruitment. Being the sole or one of just a few persons of color in an otherwise all-white environment can carry with it challenges and often expectations for additional work —for instance, being frequently asked to take on roles such as the disciplinarian or mentor for nonwhite students.7 This is one reason why even a one-time infu

FAQs

Why is teacher diversity important for student learning?

The brief explains that teacher effectiveness and student learning depend heavily on teachers, and that diversity supports student experience. Evidence cited suggests benefits for historically underserved students, especially Black students, and also gains for White students through inclusive environments and representation.

How can states and localities use ARP ESSER III funds to diversify the teacher workforce?

It positions the policy brief as a roadmap for education agencies to design and sustain a high-quality teacher workforce using ARP ESSER III resources. It emphasizes turning one-time funds into a practical plan of action before the funds sunset.

What approaches does the brief suggest for diversifying teacher staffing?

The document promises ideas for tangible solutions education leaders can pursue, including ways to use other federal dollars alongside ARP-related recovery funds. It also includes case studies of promising initiatives underway nationwide.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia