Parents’ Rights Group Reportedly Slams Plan To ‘Boost Teacher Diversity’ As ‘Discriminatory’ And ‘Wrong’

A parents’ rights group in Maryland has leveled criticism against a Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) initiative created to “boost teacher diversity,” WJAR reported Tuesday.

Last month BCPS launched the “Growing Our Own” scholarship program designed to seek out, hire and keep “BIPOC [Black, indigenous, people of color]” science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) teachers, according to WJAR.

Parents’ Defending Education (PDE) reportedly secured and shared a BCPS notice on the program exclusively with Crisis in the Classroom (CITC). The notice said the $1 million program was initiated to combat the “major teacher shortage” BCPS presently faces.

Scholarship awardees will receive tuition, books and financial help with fees associated with completing their education, the notice added.