> The program I am in, for example, requires
>>either a thesis or an internship of at least 6 months.  Six months
>>is a long time to go without money.


But isn't that what has been expected of Student Teachers for at least as
far back as my mother student-taught (in the 50's) and there seems to be
no shortage of minorities willing to go into that field.  In my city over
75% of the tachers and school administrators are Arican-American. (my
numbers could be off, these were the numbers when  Istudent taught in
1993.  I think I'm in the ballpark.)  I am not saying making anyone work
so long and so hard for no money is a good way to run your professional
training.  I think it keeps a lot of talented people from entering both
professions.    Nor am I saying that certain groups do not have a
difficult time joining the education profession, but it is one of the
most culturally diverse (judging only from my impressionistic data, and
based upon no scientific studies) fields I have ever seen.  How do they
do it, and what can we learn from the experience?

Matthew A. White
Director of Education
Baltimore Museum of Industry
1415 Key Highway
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410)727-4808
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