What is a critical-needs school? 

Critical-needs schools are schools that have a high percentage of students who receive free or reduced lunch. This statistic correlates with a community that is suffering from the effects of poverty. For a number of reasons, schools like this have a difficult time finding people to fill teaching positions. For an in-depth look at critical-needs schools, see “Chapter 2: What are critical needs schools?” from the online book Into the Unknown: Navigating your MTC Experience.

Below are excerpts from “Chapter 2: What are critical needs schools?” written by MTC Alumni Bobby Latona:

A school is considered critical or high needs when it possesses some or all of the following criteria: 

• High-needs schools are located in high poverty areas.

• High percentage of students are eligible for a free or reduced-price school lunch. 

• High percentage of student’s families receive state or federal assistance.

• High percentage of students and families are eligible to receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program.

• The school has a high percentage of out-of-field-teachers and teachers who are not certified or licensed to teach, which creates unqualified teachers. 

• The turnover rate for teachers is high. 

• The retention rate for teachers is low. 

• Administrators have difficulties filling job vacancies with competent staff. 

• Classrooms are often influenced by the struggles and chronic stress of the students’ lives.

Where does MTC Place Teachers?

For information about where we place our teachers, see this page.