The city is scrapping a bureaucratic hurdle to get qualified teachers in front of thousands of migrant children, as public schools face a shortage of bilingual educators on the first day of classes. Teachers with more than one certificate — that can include expertise in bilingual or English as a new language programs — are often dissuaded from switching subjects, due to strict tenure rules .
In the next two years, all NYC elementary schools will be required to use one of three reading curriculums in a massive overhaul of literacy instruction.
Half of children in grades three to eight fail reading tests. The city’s schools chancellor, who has faulted the current approach, will begin rolling out new curriculums next year.