Nearly 9 out of 10 teachers in Massachusetts public schools are white, despite students of color making up roughly 44% of the student population. In Lowell, the state's sixth largest school district, the disparity is even more stark.

A new program aims to change this, by encouraging students of color to pursue careers in teaching through a partnership between Lowell Public Schools and the University of Massachusetts - Lowell.

WBUR education reporter Samuele Petruccelli speaks with The Common about the push to increase diversity among teachers in Lowell and statewide.

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