Teacher Shortage Concerns in Massachusetts 

Concerns over escalating teacher shortages nationwide have been an area of focus at both the state and federal levels. In Massachusetts, a 2015 study focusing on projections for MA teacher supply and demand over the next 10 years anticipated shortages for ELL teachers, SPED teachers, as well as for educators of color. In addition, this report found that there would be a shortage of educators under the age of 26 which is concerning “as this group makes up the largest portion of teachers newly entering the field and a large portion of the teacher pipeline” (pg. 4).

Literacy Education

In order to support all learners with college and career readiness Massachusetts has incorporated K–12 expectations for literacy (in reading, writing, speaking, and listening) across the content areas. These standards are articulated in the 2017 Framework for English Language Arts and Literacy (see pgs. 130–154 for other content areas). In addition, Subject Matter Knowledge guidelines for all content areas explicitly call for all MA educators to be prepared as literacy teachers. Thus, all educators in the state are required to develop expertise in instructing students in the literacy needs related to their content (in addition to content specific standards).

Teacher Recruitment and Retention

The MA DESE webpage includes several resources for recruiting educators (including supports for districts to utilize partnerships with educator preparation programs). There is also an explicit focus on recruiting and retaining a more diverse educator force. The resources and materials available from the MA DESE highlight the state’s reputation as being a leader in K–12 education while also highlighting areas for continued growth. For example, a 2017 DESE Policy Brief explores some “teacher equity gaps” and proposed next steps outlined in the MA Equity Plan (for example, improving low income students’ access to highly qualified teachers).

Professional Development for Literacy Education

The Office of Literacy and Humanities offers several supports for literacy educators (including quick reference guides to the literacy standards, Look for Guides for Observation, and samples of the writing standards in action).  In addition, the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) offers a tiered literacy academy where educator teams are provided with, “high impact professional development, collaborative planning support, and technical assistance…{in} leading literacy instruction and support in their schools” over three years. Individual districts are also able to use federal funds (specifically, Title I and Title II) to provide professional development for educators.  Both Title I and Title II grants identify “early grades literacy” as a specific area of priority for the use of these funds.

Christina Porter, Ed.D.,NBCT is the Director of Humanities for Revere Public Schools in Revere, Massachusetts. She can be reached at cporter@reverek12.org.