Nearly 19 percent of teachers of color (有色人种教师) left their jobs after the 2014—2015 school year. Some left for personal reasons like taking care of their families. But 50 percent said they left because they were dissatisfied with their employment situation, such as poor working conditions, student discipline problems and large class sizes. Thus, taking immediate measures to improve it is our top priority.
For years, researchers have proved the benefits of increasing the share of minority teachers in schools, especially as our public school system has turned to one that is made up mostly of minority students. Teachers of color, who are more likely than their white counterparts to choose to work in racially diverse schools, offer particular benefits to their students. Graduation rates increase among minority students when they are taught by racially similar educators, research shows. They can also serve as positive role models, and their presence reduces the chance of racial discrimination at school.
The Shanker Institute report suggests that the rate of minority teacher hiring is not the whole problem. The problem is what happens after these teachers enter the classroom. These teachers often work in highpoverty rural schools. They are more likely to have lessdesirable working conditions.
Diversity is a key component to equality and opportunity. Where there's a diverse teaching workforce, all kids thrive. So solutions must be found at once to turn this trend around. Firstly, schools should develop mentorship programs that support minority teachers once they are in the classroom. Secondly, more money should be spent in improving working conditions in these schools. Of course, school headmasters should also be evaluated on their ability to retain teachers of color.
作者认为学校要留住有色人种教师，关键是要改善他们的工作条件。
1．Among teachers of color leaving their jobs, half of them quit because ________.
A．they had to take care of their children
B．they had to move to other places
C．they eventually found betterpaid jobs
D．their employment situation was unsatisfactory
答案：D
解析：细节理解题。根据第一段的第三句“But 50 percent said they left because they were dissatisfied with their employment situation”可知是因为他们对工作环境状况不满意才辞职的。
2．Which of the following is the main idea of the second paragraph?
A．The solutions to increasing graduation rates among minority students.
B．The benefits of increasing the share of minority teachers in schools.
C．The reasons for teachers of color leaving their jobs in many schools.
D．The ways to decrease the possibility of racial discrimination at school.
答案：B
解析：段落大意题。根据第二段的第一句“For years, researchers have proved the benefits of increasing the share of minority teachers in schools, especially as our public school system has turned to one that is made up mostly of minority students.”可知第二段主要讲的是增加少数民族教师在学校中的比例的好处。故答案为B。
3．Which of the following components is vital to equality and opportunity?
A．Honesty. B．Variety.
C．Ability. D．Safety.
答案：B
解析：推理判断题。根据最后一段第一句“Diversity is a key
component to equality and opportunity.”可知多样性是平等和机会的关键。根据句意可知选B。
4．How did the author feel when writing the passage?
A．He felt angry about the government.
B．He was satisfied with the present situation.
C．He felt it urgent to solve the problem.
D．He didn't care about diverse teaching workforce.
答案：C
解析：推理判断题。根据第一段最后一句“taking immediate
measures to improve it is our top priority.”和最后一段第三句中“at once”可知他觉得迫切需要解决这个问题。
