Goal of Hawkins program is to diversify teacher workforce | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

The U.S. Department of Education on Aug. 19 revealed an $8 million grant competition meant to increase the diversity of the teacher workforce.

The Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence program will support comprehensive, high-quality teacher preparation programs at historically black colleges and universities, minority-serving institutions, and tribal colleges and universities, per a U.S. DOE press release.

“At a time when we need to do more to support our teachers and the educator profession, Hawkins Centers of Excellence will help increase the number of well-prepared and qualified teachers, including teachers of color, in our workforce,” said U.S. Education Secretary Dr. Miguel A. Cardona. “We know that teachers of color benefit not only students of color, but all students. When students of color can see their backgrounds and experiences reflected in their teachers, we see higher levels of student achievement and engagement in school, and more students aspiring to be teachers themselves one day.”