Massachusetts First

Right to Shelter: Teacher Shortage

A massive influx of migrant children strains unprepared Massachusetts public school systems As the nation faces a shortage of teachers, Massachusetts is not immune. In June 2023, the state changed the licensing regulations to close the gap on the teacher shortage. “The amendments create an easier pathway for already-licensed teachers to be able to teach…

“Citizens For Truth”

August 9, 2023

1–2 minutes

children, education, immigration, right to shelter

A massive influx of migrant children strains unprepared Massachusetts public school systems

As the nation faces a shortage of teachers, Massachusetts is not immune. In June 2023, the state changed the licensing regulations to close the gap on the teacher shortage.

“The amendments create an easier pathway for already-licensed teachers to be able to teach special education and English as a second language and create a new license for pre-K teachers of students with disabilities. The board also voted to create a new provisional license for school nurses, who are also understaffed in Massachusetts districts.” [i]

According to the Department of Education, the state average student-to-teacher ratio is 11.9 students per teacher. During the 2022-2023 school year, 883,006 children attended public school. It was estimated in July 2023 that there were 316,000 immigrants, but how many of them are children is unknown. Despite the growing number of immigrants arriving in Massachusetts daily, state law requires all children, regardless of immigration status, the right to receive an education.

Where will all these children go once school starts in the coming weeks? Have schools been provided with the resources to meet demand while still delivering a quality education?

Last year the Commonwealth extended a program that provided free lunch to over 400,000 students, but it hasn’t been renewed for this school year. Are school cafeterias equipped with enough resources to provide food for all eligible students? What overall impact will this crisis have on all the students involved?

In July 2023, Democratic State Representative Michael Finn said,

“Last year, we had a school bus of 20 kids show up at Coburn Elementary School on the first day of school. They didn’t speak English, had no formal education, and little-to-no medical documentation or proof of immunizations. And we didn’t know they were there.”[ii]

Last year the immigrant situation wasn’t nearly as chaotic as it is now. What will this school year bring?

Charlie W.

Sources