School System Selection Processes and Workforce Diversity in School

Authors

• Dan Goldhaber, University of Washington and The American Institutes of ResearchFollow
• Cyrus Grout, University of Washington
• Constance A. Lindsay, University of North Carolina
• Elton Mykerezi, University of MinnesotaFollow
• Aaron Sojourner, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment ResearchFollow

Upjohn Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6839-2512

Series

Upjohn Institute working paper ; 26-429

DOI

10.17848/wp26-429

Issue Date

April 2026

Abstract

To date, there is little evidence about the extent to which teacher and principal diversity is related to the advancement of applicants to teacher and principal jobs through the hiring pipeline. We investigate this issue using novel job application and hiring data from a wide range of school districts and charter organizations. We find that non-White teacher applicants are less likely to advance through the hiring pipeline, particularly Asian applicants. We do, however, see evidence of heterogeneity with charter schools more likely to hire underrepresented minority teacher applicants. We do not find similar differences for principal hiring, but smaller samples also limit the statistical power in the case of principals.

Sponsorship

The Joyce Foundation

Subject Areas

EDUCATION; LABOR MARKET ISSUES; Turnover