Texas lawmakers debating DEI ban in K-12 schools ask: Do students benefit from teachers who look like them?

The Texas House Public Education Committee on Tuesday discussed a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the state's public schools. (Credit: Eddie Gaspar/The Texas Tribune)

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Lawmakers debating a bill that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in Texas public schools briefly sparred over a question that has been answered by years of research but is often overlooked in political discussions: Should the state help staff classrooms with teachers who look like their students?