In 1992-93, the Texas Teachers’ force was 77 percent white, 14 percent Hispanic, eight percent African American, and less than one percent Native American and Asian/Pacific Islander. Though minority teachers have increased in number over the past few years, the percentage of total teachers has increased only slightly.
The small number of Native American and Asian/Pacific Islander teachers results in large growth rates but does not contribute significantly to the total minority Texas teachers’ force. The Hispanic teaching force, the largest minority group, increased by 60 percent in the decade from 1981-82 to 1991-92, and continued to grow at a higher rate than all other groups from 1991-92 to 1992-93. African American teachers have increased only slightly in numbers, and over the last ten years have grown at a lower rate than white teachers.
Texas Teachers are disbursed throughout the state much like students. Nearly 70 percent are located in the larger urban areas and their suburbs, and the remaining thirty percent in smaller districts in towns and rural areas. Minority Texas teachers, however, are employed predominately in the urban areas. Over half of all African American teachers are employed in the seven largest major urban school districts. Similarly, 43 percent of all Hispanic teachers are found in the large urban school districts and their suburbs, although an additional 37 percent are employed in other central cities and their suburbs.