Much like the rest of the United States, the State of Massachusetts has seen an overall slump in the economy in the past year and a half. Even though this typically turns into fewer job opportunities in the market, the number of teaching jobs in Massachusetts has stayed up to par. This is partially due to the recent law changes for Massachusetts’ state licensing requirements, as well as the instability in the overall national job market.

Changes to the states licensing requirements: Earlier this year, the state instituted a new licensing exam for elementary school teachers, which requires that educators prove their arithmetic skills in order to earn a teaching license. (Until recently, educators applying for Massachusetts teaching jobs had been required to take a multi-subject test that included only a few math questions.)

Nearly 75% of all potential elementary school teachers who took a shot at the newly implemented exam didn’t pass the arithmetic section. Naturally, this created a great deal more opportunity for those teachers who excelled in mathematics, as well as other teachers who had stronger aspirations to become teachers, but did not have an opportunity to find a job in the competitive field.

Instability in the national job market Several vacancies for Massachusetts teaching jobs have also been created by the growing unpredictability in the job market. In some cases, teachers have left Massachusetts for positions in other states. In other cases, educators may have been forced to move because of a spouses relocation. Regardless of the root cause, the economic instability has actually opened a few Massachusetts teaching jobs.

What the economic forecasts are saying: It is predicted that the recession in Massachusetts will be more unique than the rest of the nation. Massachusetts is expected to have a deeper and longer running recession than the nations recession as a whole. Losses of jobs are expected to become even greater than those of 2001. This should not be off-putting however. There is still plenty of opportunity in the market for those teachers who have the correct credentials or are available for relocation.

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