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Massachusetts is implementing a new lottery admissions system for vocational-technical high schools, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Proposed by the Healey Administration, the new lottery system is an attempt to expand access to voc-tech schools, giving schools with more applicants than seats the choice of either a weighted lottery, which takes aspects like attendance and discipline records into account, or a non-weighted lottery, which does not take academic performance or discipline issues into consideration.
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and supporters of the lottery have defended the change to a lottery system, saying it will make admissions more equitable while the state works to expand access to voc-tech schools. The lottery system has been criticized by business groups and educational leaders, who have said lotteries will water down admission standards and disrupt the pathway of top students into high-demand trades.
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Worcester Business Journal provides the top coverage of news, trends, data, politics and personalities of the Central Mass business community. Get the news and information you need from the award-winning writers at WBJ. Don’t miss out - subscribe today.
Worcester Business Journal presents a special commemorative edition celebrating the 300th anniversary of the city of Worcester. This landmark publication covers the city and region’s rich history of growth and innovation.
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Massachusetts is implementing a new lottery admissions system for vocational-technical high schools, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. Proposed by the Healey Administration, the new lottery system is an attempt to expand access to voc-tech schools, giving schools with more applicants than seats the choice of either a weighted lottery, which takes aspects like attendance and discipline records into account, or a non-weighted lottery, which does not take academic performance or discipline issues into consideration.
Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler and supporters of the lottery have defended the change to a lottery system, saying it will make admissions more equitable while the state works to expand access to voc-tech schools. The lottery system has been criticized by business groups and educational leaders, who have said lotteries will water down admission standards and disrupt the pathway of top students into high-demand trades.