Vocational schools have become a popular option for students in Massachusetts. Unfortunately, with increased interest in these programs, discriminatory admissions policies have led to the denial of admission for 40% of the original applicants.1Mandy McLaren & Christopher Huffaker, ‘We’re taking the wrong kids’: High-needs students lose out in vocational school admissions, Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/18/metro/massachusetts-vocational-school-admissions-policies/ (updated July 18, 2024). Vocational schools, also widely regarded as trade schools, give students an opportunity to meet their academic high school requirements while also learning skills that may prepare them for different skilled careers. Some of these careers include, but are not limited to, “automotive technicians, medical assistants, hair stylists, certified nursing aids, electronics technicians, paralegals, and truck drivers.”2Federal Trade Commission, Choosing a Vocational School or Certificate Program, Consumer.gov (May 2021) https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/choosing-vocational-school-or-certificate-program. Currently, there are 28 regional trade high schools in Massachusetts, which has led to limitations in total seats. Last year, out of roughly 20,300 applicants, more than 8,500 middle-school students were denied admission to these schools, which put the admission rate at 60%.3Federal Trade Commission, Choosing a Vocational School or Certificate Program, Consumer.gov (May 2021) https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/choosing-vocational-school-or-certificate-program. Vocational schools offer courses to prepare students for jobs that do not always require a college degree. 4Public School Review, Top 10 Best Massachusetts Vocational Public Schools (2024-25) https://www.publicschoolreview.com/massachusetts/vocational-public-schools.
In accordance with 603 CMR § 4.03 (6), vocational technical schools that use selective criteria may only do so when there are more applicants than seats, and require the schools that use selective criteria to not do the following: use criteria that have the effect of disproportionately excluding persons of a particular race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability unless they demonstrate that (1) such criteria have been validated as essential to participation in vocational programs; and (2) alternative equally valid criteria that do not have such a disproportionate adverse effect are unavailable.
During the notice and comment period for 603 CMR § 4.03, concern was expressed over the possibility that the selective criteria may lead to students with lower grades being penalized. Specifically, excluding protected classes “merely by demonstrating that the students admitted were more likely to succeed in the program.”5Complaint, Discriminatory Admissions Policies at the Massachusetts Career Vocational Technical Education Schools and Programs, Vocational Education Justice Coalition, Juan Doe, Aaron Doe, Ingrid Doe, and Elder Doe v. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education 1, 39 (Feb. 2, 2023). The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (hereinafter, “DESE”) changed the original language from “more likely to succeed in the program” to “essential to participation” in the effort to avoid admission relying on scores which could “disproportionately exclude protected group[s].”6Id. at 39.
While DESE addressed the intent for schools to not use selective criteria that relied on grades, such as an “A” student being admitted over a “B” student, this criterion has been used. Acceptance into one of these schools can completely change a middle schooler’s life, by providing them with an opportunity to move into the middle class without having to pursue a college degree.7Avery Bleichfeld, Coalition alleges bias in vocational school admissions, BayStateBanner (April 24, 2024) https://baystatebanner.com/2024/04/24/coalition-alleges-bias-in-vocational-school-admissions/. Many of these schools are selecting kids for their top attendance and grades, as they have the option from a large pool of applicants. The students from low-income families, English language learners, students with disabilities, and students of color are the lowest percentage of admitted students in the vocational programs.8Mandy McLaren & Christopher Huffaker, ‘We’re taking the wrong kids’: High-needs students lose out in vocational school admissions, Boston Globe https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/07/18/metro/massachusetts-vocational-school-admissions-policies/ (updated July 18, 2024) (showing demographic information of applicants admitted on a chart based on data provided by DESE).
Many students apply to these schools without the intention of pursuing a career in one of the trades taught and plan on continuing to higher education. As a result, there may be a lost opportunity for a student who intends to pursue a trade. A recent civil rights complaint against Massachusetts for its admissions policies shines a light on this need for change.9See Complaint, Discriminatory Admissions Policies at the Massachusetts Career Vocational Technical Education Schools and Programs, Vocational Education Justice Coalition, Juan Doe, Aaron Doe, Ingrid Doe, and Elder Doe v. Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Feb. 2, 2023). Every year that goes by, another round of thousands of students will be denied admission into a future they otherwise could have been afforded if it wasn’t for the schools’ continued use of selective criteria.
There are additional benefits to acceptance into vocational public schools as average reading and math proficiency scores are higher than the Massachusetts and statewide average.10Public School Review, Top 10 Best Massachusetts Vocational Public Schools (2024-25) https://www.publicschoolreview.com/massachusetts/vocational-public-schools. While selective criteria are a key issue, the lack of seats available should also be reconsidered. The Board of Education could consider fitting within the traditional high school budget, vocational technical programs.11Nirvani Williams, Admissions into vocational technical high schools are in high demand, but not enough seats available, New England Public Media (June 11, 2024) https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2024-06-11/admissions-into-vocational-technical-high-schools-are-in-high-demand-but-not-enough-seats-available.
It is important to emphasize the need for change to DESE. DESE is aware of these issues, the more we speak up the more action will be taken. There is a need for urgency on this issue as thousands of students lose a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity each year. Many of these schools with limited seats use selective criteria for admission against 603 CMR § 4.03 (6). If changes aren’t made, this could continue to impact students in Massachusetts for life. Is an “A” student over a “B” student in middle school really an indication of their future success in a vocational program?
