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Poll results

Vocational technical high schools are important partners for many businesses and help feed their workforce pipeline, but more kids are seeking admission to these schools than there are available slots. The Gov. Maura Healey Administration has proposed implementing a lottery system to enroll waitlisted students into vocational technical high schools, with the claim that it will help eliminate discriminatory selection practices that have been the subject of much debate.

While the lottery system would exclude selection based on grades, schools would still be able to reject students due to 10 or more unexcused absences or days of suspensions/expulsions. Critics of the lottery system say that these new guidelines perpetuate the same discriminatory policies, arguing those with 10 or more unexcused absences are disproportionately from large populations of students of color. Others, including the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, argue a lottery system would water down standards and that administration should focus on directing more funds toward capacity-building initiatives at voc-tech schools instead of targeting their admission processes. 

Should Massachusetts have an admissions lottery system for vocational technical high schools?
Yes, though not ideal, it will help level the playing field. (12%, 23 VOTES)
Yes, and it is fair to exclude students due to a high number of absences. (18%, 34 VOTES)
No, a lottery-based system does not address the discriminatory practices in the program. (9%, 17 VOTES)
No, the administration should fund schools so all students who want to can attend. (44%, 82 VOTES)
No, the current voke tech admissions system is working. (17%, 32 VOTES)
Poll Description

Vocational technical high schools are important partners for many businesses and help feed their workforce pipeline, but more kids are seeking admission to these schools than there are available slots. The Gov. Maura Healey Administration has proposed implementing a lottery system to enroll waitlisted students into vocational technical high schools, with the claim that it will help eliminate discriminatory selection practices that have been the subject of much debate.

While the lottery system would exclude selection based on grades, schools would still be able to reject students due to 10 or more unexcused absences or days of suspensions/expulsions. Critics of the lottery system say that these new guidelines perpetuate the same discriminatory policies, arguing those with 10 or more unexcused absences are disproportionately from large populations of students of color. Others, including the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce, argue a lottery system would water down standards and that administration should focus on directing more funds toward capacity-building initiatives at voc-tech schools instead of targeting their admission processes. 

  • 188 Votes
  • 2 Comments
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2 Comments

  • Richard Dagenais
    May 6, 2025

    The current system is a significant tax on the member towns, drawing away funds from general education and limiting the resources small towns have remaining to spend on their non-vocational student populations. Without significant state funding support, any expansion of vocational programs will only further reduce the resources available to students who don't choose the vocational education route.
    How about this... Mandate the complete elimination of any support the vocational schools provide to help their students continue on to higher education (guidance, college fairs, recommendations, etc.) so space opens up for those who actually want to apply thier vocational diplomas after high school.

  • Patci Hebert
    May 5, 2025

    Many disadvantaged students miss out because their aptitude is slanted more vocationally rather than academically, and Voc Tech schools were created for these students. Now the academically superior students take four years of a certificate trade only to graduate to admission to a four year, sometimes Ivy league college and never use the training they received at the Voc Tech Schools. Hense contributing to our skilled worker gap. A lottery system would even up the playing field.