E4E-BOS’s Lisa Lazare Gets Op-Ed Published in The Boston Globe

E4E-Boston Executive Director Lisa Lazare had an op-ed published in the Boston Globe about the importance of keeping teacher diversity in the classroom. You can find an excerpt from the article below or read it in its entirety.

Massachusetts remains one of just 13 states where seniority is a main factor when school districts lay off teachers — public schools are mandated by state law to use such “last in, first out” policies.

With the effects of inflation, the end of COVID-19 relief funding, and declining enrollment, municipal budgets are under pressure and layoffs are likely to come. Seniority-based policies threaten to have a devastating effect on the diversity of the state’s teacher base — and the students who rely on those teachers. Already, Brockton — where more than 80 percent of students are students of color — has laid off 130 teachers, 33 percent of whom are teachers of color.