Des Moines group aims to recruit minority teachers

DES MOINES (AP) ? Education leaders in Des Moines have announced a partnership aimed at recruiting more minority teachers.

Des Moines Public Schools, Drake University and Des Moines Area Community College say the partnership will work to identify aspiring minority teachers and help them acquire the education needed to teach in Des Moines. Students who complete the program and graduate with a teaching degree and endorsements will get a teaching job with Des Moines Public Schools. Officials say there were only 10 percent of minority administrators at Des Moines Public Schools in the last school year. There were only 4.5 percent of minority certified teachers.

Members of the partnership, called 3D Coalition, have previously worked together to implement two federal grant programs that were also aimed at recruiting more minority teachers.