Teaching in Public and Private Schools: The Significance of Race

Abstract

This paper explores variations in the employment of minority teachers in elementary and secondary public, Catholic, and private (non-Catholic) schools. Our data are drawn from a survey of public and nonpublic schools in the six counties surrounding San Francisco Bay. The survey was conducted during 1981–82 by the Institute for Research on Educational Finance and Governance, Stanford University. We analyze several determinants of minority employment in public and private schools to explain variation among the three sectors. Subsequently, we present a more detailed analysis of the different employment experiences of black and Hispanic teachers within two of these sectors, public and Catholic schools. Based on these analyses, we conclude with a discussion of implications for public policy.