Indiana Official Says Teachers With Diverse Backgrounds Key To Closing Achievement Gap

The AP (5/16) reported, "A new education official charged with closing the achievement gap between poor, minority students and their white peers says the key lies in finding good teachers from diverse backgrounds. Shanida Sharp-Byrnes is the new Diversity Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Education." Sharp-Byrnes says Indiana "has to appeal to teachers' values instead of relying on financial incentives at a time when Indiana has ordered $300 million cut from education funding."