Healey-Driscoll Administration to Propose 3,000 New Career Technical Education Seats, Lottery Admission Policy
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to vote to send regulations to public comment on Tuesday
EVERETT – The Healey-Driscoll Administration will be proposing
regulation changes to improve access to career technical education (CTE)
programs across Massachusetts to the Board of Elementary and Secondary
Education on Tuesday. These changes would strengthen CTE recruitment efforts
and require lottery
admissions at all CTE schools and programs with a waitlist.
These proposed regulations are part of the administration’s
larger efforts to “Reimagine High School” and promote programs that equip
students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market through
innovative, applied learning opportunities. Governor Healey’s recently filed supplemental budget includes $75 million
for Career Technical Education School grants that will add an additional 3,000
new CTE seats over three years. Also, Governor Healey’s BRIGHT Act includes $100 million for Skills Capital
grants that support high schools, colleges, and educational institutions to
upgrade technology and instructional lab spaces, expand career programs, and
increase capacity in workforce training programs.
“Massachusetts' career technical education programs play an
important role in our state's education system and economy. They provide
students with the skills they need to succeed in today’s job market and help us
meet the workforce needs of our employers,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“Our administration has been engaging with families, educators, CTE schools,
local officials and the business community to determine how we can increase
access to these programs and set all of our students up for success. We are
proud to propose these regulation changes and appreciate the Board’s
review.”
“Career technical education is in demand in many districts,
and while our administration works to expand the number of seats available, it
is also important to ensure that students of all backgrounds can access those
seats,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This proposal seeks to
improve the admissions process, which will have positive impacts on our
students, schools and economy.”
Under the proposal, CTE programs may only use excessive
unexcused absences and/or certain disciplinary conduct as selective criteria
for students to enter the lottery process. Further, middle schools located in
sending districts would be required to maintain a districtwide policy on how
students are made aware of and gain exposure to CTE in their district,
regional, agricultural, and other public high schools. Together, these changes
will enable more equitable CTE access for all students.
“The Healey-Driscoll administration has a core set of
values that drive our work every day and are reflected in these proposed
changes. Thank you to the Board and stakeholders for their continued
discussions and feedback. I believe a lottery system and strengthening
recruitment efforts will improve CTE access for all students,” said Education
Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “In Massachusetts, we remain focused on
creating the conditions for all students to realize their dreams.”
“The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is
committed to all students having equitable access to career technical
education, and these proposed regulatory changes are designed to advance that
goal,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and
secondary education. “We welcome additional public input before the Board
votes.”
The proposed regulations are the result of a series of study
sessions and include feedback from stakeholders. Since October 2024, the Board
of Elementary and Secondary Education has held three special meetings and three
committee meetings to discuss admissions in CTE schools and programs. As part of these presentations
and Board public comment, superintendents, parents, school committee
representatives, principals, school counselors, and community advocates have
shared their experiences with CTE admissions.
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