(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) - The Buffalo Teachers Federation (BTF) has released a report prepared by the New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) that Union President Phil Rumore describes as “troubling,” which details an extreme lack of Administrator Diversity and the general lack of diversity in Erie County’s Charter Schools.

NYSUT’s Education Trust released the report that compared the racial makeup of Teachers and students in numerous school districts across New York State. The analysis was based on an unpublished data set collected by the New York State Education Department (NYSED).  NYSUT had obtained the same unpublished data set, which was self-reported, unaudited information and therefore may not be completely accurate, Union Officials said.

Some of the more troubling Charter School statistics included, county-wide: 25% of the Charter School student population is White, while 81% of the principals and assistant principals are White (In the City of Buffalo, 57% are White principals and assistants).  In comparison, 68% of the Charter School student population is Black or African-American and Hispanic/Latino, while only 20% of the principals and assistant principals are Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino (In the City of Buffalo, 38% are Black and Hispanic).

When it came to a number of the individual Charter Schools, the following was found:

Western New York Maritime Charter School - While 62% of the Charter School students are Black/African American and Hispanics/Latino, there are no Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino principals or assistant principals (0%).  The administration is 100% White.

Buffalo United Charter School - 98% of the Charter School students are Black/African-American are Hispanic/Latino, while only 17% of the principals and assistant principals are Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino.  In comparison, 2% of the Charter School students are White, while 83% of the Principals and Assistant Principals are White.

Enterprise Charter School - 93% of the Charter School students are Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino while there are no (0%) Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino principals and assistant principals; and 93% of the Charter School students are Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino, while 8% of the Teachers are Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino.

South Buffalo Charter School - While 46% of the Charter School students are Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino, there are no (0%) Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino administrators.  And while 46% of the Charter School students are Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino, there are no (0%) Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino Teachers.

The same concerns exist for most of the other Charter Schools.

"This analysis provides ‘very troubling and serious statistics that must be addressed’ by the Charter Schools, the courts, the Legislature or all of the above,” BTF President Rumore said.

“The ‘administrative disparity’ in the Charter Schools ‘is unacceptable.’  ‘What is the message to the students when they do not see administrators that look like them?’  ‘There is no excuse for not seeking out and hiring a diverse administrative staff.’  The Charter Schools ‘control that completely.’  ‘The lack of diversity’ of Teachers ‘also must be addressed’ – ‘as it is now being addressed in the Buffalo Public Schools with what is called the Urban Teacher Academy.’  ‘Diversity will in and of itself not ensure greater scores on what many consider invalid tests.’ ‘Smaller’ class sizes ‘increased support services and administrative support staff will improve the education of our students,’” Rumore said.

“However, ‘seeing someone who looks like you, gives a student the knowledge that they can succeed.’  ‘I ask you to think back and imagine that you are a White student while almost all of your teachers and administrators are Black or African American.’  ‘Just as troubling is what is apparently an abandonment of the spirit and intent of the laws, court rulings and commitment to integrate our schools.’  The BTF ‘calls on’ the Charter Schools, Local, State and Federal Legislatures ‘to investigate these statistics and to take appropriate corrective actions,’" he said.

To Directly Access This BTF Press Release In Its Entirety, Including A Number Of Graphs, Go To: www.btfny.org/mail/images/press_release_112217.pdf