Education Access and Quality
Education is the foundation for many opportunities in life. In general, those with more years of schooling live longer and healthier lives. A high-quality education can support people to get better jobs. This enables people to afford basic needs that can improve health and well-being. Higher education levels are also related to having positive social and behavioral factors that lead to good health. Access to quality education is not as easy to attain for some groups of people. This can be due to a lack of resources, translation services, or school funding. Data in this section can help inform the ability for Rock County residents to access a high-quality education.
Historical Spotlight on Health
Racial and ethnic diversity in Rock County’s public schools has more than doubled over the past three decades, growing to 32%.¹ In 2021, however, Wisconsin teachers who are White have remained at around 95% for the past decade.²
There has been extensive research on the benefits of diversity in the teaching workforce. Minority students having at least one classroom teacher who looks like them is linked to positive academic and social outcomes, such as higher teacher expectations and lower rates of student absenteeism and suspensions.
In 2008, the Janesville Multicultural Teacher Scholarship began as a renewable scholarship program for multicultural students intending to pursue a career in education. Students may apply to the School District of Janesville for a position with the intention of completing three successful years of employment. The School District of Beloit has also created a similar program called the Grow Your Own Multicultural Teacher Scholarship Program.
Race to Equity Report: https://kidsforward.org/assets/Race-to-Equity-Report-Rock-County.pdf
Public School Staff FTE by Ethnicity and Gender Report: https://publicstaffreports.dpi.wi.gov/PubStaffReport/Public/PublicReport/StaffByEthnicityAndGenderReport