Research indicates that students of color experience improved social, emotional, and academic outcomes when taught by teachers who share their ethnoracial background. Historical studies reveal that Black and Latinx teachers have long supported the development of their students, particularly during eras of state-enforced school segregation. Contemporary findings further underscore the positive impact teachers of color have on students of similar backgrounds. This evidence can guide policymakers in promoting workforce diversity in education, with implications for shaping the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Read more.