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Teens, Employment, and the Minimum Wage

More than 104,000 teens (16- to 19-year-olds) work and actively contribute to the Massachusetts economy. As working teens, they learn job skills and gain experience and responsibility. Many working teens also play important roles in helping meet financial needs for not only their families but also for themselves, like paying for college. This brief looks at who teen workers are, their contributions to family income, how a sub-minimum wage could affect teen workers, and whether there have been adverse effects on teen employment from minimum wage increases.

Excellence for All: Supporting English Language Learners in Massachusetts

Massachusetts policy since 2002 has emphasized English immersion as the primary approach to educating English Language Learners. A balanced review of the research reveals, however, that there is generally more evidence supporting bilingual programs. The evidence also suggests that the most important factor for helping ELL students to succeed is the quality of the programs offered.

State and Local Impact of Raising the Minimum Wage to $15 in Massachusetts

Phasing in an increase of the minimum wage to $15 by 2021 would boost the incomes of 29 percent of the Massachusetts workforce. This report analyzes the effect of such an increase across 52 regions in the state, finding that at least 15 percent of workers in every region of Massachusetts would see their wages rise, and in some regions more than 40 percent of wage earners would benefit.

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