Alright, so students at vocational schools in Massachusetts might have to rely on luck to get a spot. The education board voted to use a lottery system for admissions at popular trade high schools. This decision comes after the removal of the MCAS as a graduation requirement. The board met at Methuen High School and decided to switch to a weighted lottery system for distributing seats at vocational high schools like Blackstone Valley and Madison Park. Instead of looking at grades and interviews, admissions will now be based on luck, with extra consideration given to students with good behavior and attendance. Some priority may also be given to students who show interest in career technical education.
The Healey administration supports this move and is planning to add more career technical education seats in the next few years. However, the state legislature is considering blocking the new admissions system after lobbying efforts from vocational schools. Critics argue that the lottery system may not be the best approach for selecting students. Supporters believe it will provide equal opportunities for all students to explore their passions.
In addition to the admissions changes, the board also approved temporary graduation requirements. Since the MCAS is no longer required for graduation, there has been a lack of statewide standards. The new requirements include coursework in English, math, science, and technology/engineering. A U.S. history course will also be mandatory for the graduating class of 2027. Despite some concerns about the adequacy of these requirements, the board voted to approve them.
One controversial aspect of the new requirements is the use of MCAS scores in “limited circumstances” to fulfill certain requirements. This has drawn criticism from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, which opposed the use of MCAS scores for graduation. Overall, the changes in admissions and graduation requirements aim to provide more opportunities for students in vocational schools across the state.
