Studies show students excel with professors of same race

A recent study by the National Collaborative Diversity in the Teaching Force found that the race or ethnicity of a professor was directly linked to the success of a student. The study, released last November, shows that students of color often perform better academically, socially and personally when taught by professors of their same ethnic background. There are extensive demographic studies being conducted by the NCDTF to examine the relationship between students' academic achievement and teacher diversity. They have determined that by increasing the number of minority teachers and professors in classrooms, it will be directly linked to closing the achievement gap. Gabrielle Moss, a junior in business, agrees that having a professor of the same ethnic background can help students do better in class. "When a student has a professor of the same race, they have someone they can relate to. When I have a black professor I see someone who looks just like me," said Moss, who is African-American. "I also feel that you don't have any discrimination racially and that makes the class environment a lot better." [more]