Public educational studies indicate that students of color make up over 40% of America’s public school population. An interesting fact is that over 85% of their teachers are white. The majority of the remaining 15% are teachers of color who are no longer or perhaps never were low-income. Therefore racial imbalance isn’t necessarily the problem. The problem stems from a breakdown in the communication process.

A communication breakdown often occurs when students do not understand the language or meaning of a teacher’s message or the teacher doesn’t understand the language or meaning of a student’s message. When cultural and socio-economical barriers are added to the communication process, miscommunication is likely to occur. A majority of teachers are not aware of barriers affecting communication with these groups of students.

This makes it difficult to relate, teach or even effectively communicate with students of color and students from low-income families. Continual ineffective communication causes a communication gap which oftentimes results in these students having lower attendance, lower test scores, lower graduation rates, and lower college attendance.

Fortunately there is a solution. The Idaho Center for Racial Sensitivity can provide you and your staff with communication tools and skills needed to bridge the communication gap. Improving communication between student and teacher will help improve both teacher and student performance.

To learn how ICRS can help your school and teachers bridge the communication gap, visit the Why ICRS page.