What is a critical-needs school? 

Critical-needs Schools

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.

By training highly-qualified teachers who develop a connection to these areas, MTC hopes to remedy the scarcity of educators who can help these schools operate to their full potential. We want students (and teachers!) to see just how much they are capable of, and give them the tools and the confidence they need to improve their lives and those of their families and community members.

Where does MTC Place Teachers?

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

To learn more about critical shortage schools and subjects in Mississippi, and statewide efforts to train and retain high quality educators, check out these resources by the Mississippi Department of Education.