Black kids less likely to be identified as having learning disability with Black teacher, study says

BOSTON - A new study underscores the importance of having a diverse teaching staff in schools.

A consistent problem in the U.S. has been racial disparities when it comes to education. Compared to their White and Asian peers, Black and Hispanic students, on average, have lower test scores and are less likely to graduate from high school or enroll in college.

Researchers at UNC and UC Davis looked at data on more than 500,000 observations of Black children in grades one to four and found that when Black students were matched with Black teachers, they were less likely to be identified as having a learning disability or needing special education. The results were strongest for Black boys, especially those from lower-income families. They say Black students may be more engaged and more responsive when learning from a Black teacher.

In:
• Health
• Education

Mallika Marshall, MD

Mallika Marshall, MD is an Emmy-award-winning journalist and physician who has served as the HealthWatch Reporter for CBS Boston/WBZ-TV for over 20 years. A practicing physician Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Dr. Marshall serves on staff at Harvard Medical School and practices at Massachusetts General Hospital at the MGH Chelsea Urgent Care and the MGH Revere Health Center, where she is currently working on the frontlines caring for patients with COVID-19. She is also a host and contributing editor for Harvard Health Publications (HHP), the publishing division of Harvard Medical School.

Twitter Facebook