MiddletownJournal.com

While many schools have made diversity a priority, finding candidates may be a challenge.

In Ohio's public schools, 94.4 percent of educators are white, 4.6 percent are black and fewer than one percent are Asian, Hispanic, American Indian or multiracial. About 23.6 percent of Ohio's students are racial minorities.

"I think what we'll have to do is look at the messages we're putting out there when we start our job ads and our recruiting," Fairfield Superintendent Cathy Milligan said. "We're very open and want to hire additional teachers that are African-American or Hispanic or Asian. We're certainly seeing the value of a more diverse staff."

About 16 percent of the national teaching force are racial minorities, according to the National Education Association.

"We are changing demographics and yet our teaching force has not kept up," said Holly Johnson of the University of Cincinnati division of teacher education. "There is a high demand and a real desire for recruiting faculty and administration of color."

But Johnson said black students see more lucrative careers in other areas, and view certification and licensing as extra hurdles.

"There are a lot of barriers to the way we do school in America and it is not conducive to their learning or their success. If they are not feeling that school or this career would be inviting to them as students, why would they want to turn around and make it a lifetime career? It is a complex issue."

Last year, fewer than 10 students from Central State University — the only predominantly black college in Ohio to offer an education program — took the Praxis state teacher certification exam, according to reports.

Kaye Jeter, executive director of the Institute of Urban Education for Central State University said those that take the Praxis tests often fail on the first try, and if they pass the first two tests, some get into their first year of teaching and fail the third test.

The Lakota Local School District officials have said they would like to partner with Central State in the future to help its teachers pass the Praxis, but recent Central State graduate Deborah Omolewu of Xenia said it would take a lot to get her to select schools like Lakota or Fairfield as her home.

Desiring support from her future employer, she will be looking to see what kind of diversity program the district has and how welcoming it is.

"Sometimes to get African-American teachers to teach in a suburban district — we may be estranged, because we don't see our race among the teachers and among the students and parents," she said.

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