While it was acknowledged as an issue approximately three decades ago, the discussions around shortages in the educator workforce have increased in recent years, causing a great deal of alarm about the nation's capacity to provide quality educators for its students. A related concern is the lack of teachers of color, relative to an increasingly diverse student population. The body of research focusing on this issue has identified two major factors--the pipeline of teacher candidates of color, and higher rates of attrition among teachers of color. Findings suggest that increasing diversity in the teacher workforce provides benefits for all students. The findings also demonstrate that students of color consistently experience more positive outcomes in the presence of teachers of color. However, a number of studies also indicate that a contributor to the lack of teacher candidates is the disparity in performance on standard assessments used for student teaching entry and licensure upon completion of a teacher preparation program. One consequence of this is that many education majors and teacher candidates of color never get to the classroom. This research brief offers suggested solutions and suggestions for intervention. [This research brief was co-produced by the Center for Great Public Schools (CGPS).]