A slippery slope

It is important to always expand our understanding of the world and to recognize patterns out there. But once you have identified a pattern you then have to figure out whether anything should be done about it. Take as a for instance this research: Lower Turnover Rates, Higher Pay for Teachers Who Share Race with Principal, MU Study Shows by Nathan Hurst.

Key Findings

There is lower turnover in schools among teachers of the same race as the principal.

African American principals are more even handed in awarding supplemental salaries to teachers.

White principals are more even handed in awarding administrative support, encouragement, autonomy, intangible benefits and recognition.

African American teachers are more positive about working for a principal of the same race than are white teachers.

Minority teachers improve the educational experience of minority students

The studies authors conclude that "Our results illustrate that an important factor in maintaining the racial diversity of teachers is the diversity of the principals that supervise these teachers. We hope these findings could provide justification for policymakers to undertake programs targeted at increasing the flow of minority teachers into the principal pipeline."

Fair enough but it would also seem, to follow their thinking, that it would be logical to conclude that schools ought to be resegregated. Minority teachers improve the educational experience of minority students AND African American teachers are more positive about working for a principal of the same race than are white teachers. However, a logical answer isn't necessarily the right answer. The right answer depends on what are the goals, how are those goals prioritized and what are the trade-offs between goals.

Lots of questions about the rigor of the study, the sample size, etc. However, it would seem an object lesson about distinguishing the difference between recognizing patterns (is it real?) versus determining what is causing the patterns (why are they more positive?) versus the really critical decisions: Can we change it? Is it important to change it? Is it worth changing it?

Interesting data can be a slippery slope.