High-needs students have a hard time getting into vocational-tech schools in Massachusetts, reports the Boston Globe. Most of the highly regarded schools use selective admissions, screening out students with academic and behavior problems. Screw up in middle school, and you close the door.
As a result of the selectivity, the network of regional vocational schools boasts high test scores. However, only a third of graduates go into the trades they learned in high school, according to a 2018 survey. Half go to college.
The vo-tech schools are seen more as college prep for future engineers than a pathway to the trades, reports Avery Bleichfeld in the Bay State Banner.
Most rank applicants based on grades, attendance, discipline, recommendations and interviews. Two have a lottery, but only for applicants who've passed an initial screening.
Low-income and minority students, English Learners and students with disabilities are disproportionately screened out, according to an analysis by the Vocational Education Justice Coalition. The Globe's data-crunching confirmed that.
Some are pushing to admit all students by a "blind lottery" without regard for their middle-school grades, attendance or behavior records. That risks turning the vo-tech schools into schools of last resort and discouraging achievers from applying. Of course, adding more vo-tech schools and seats would make a lot of sense.
As college costs force young people to think twice about higher education, will this be the "toolbelt generation?"
"There are a lot of vocational jobs out there that are pretty attractive — HVAC repair and installation, electricians, solar panel installer — there's so much demand for wind turbine installers who, in many cases, make more than $100,000 a year," says Nitzan Pearlman. She is the founder of Climb Hire, which helps "overlooked" workers qualify for tech jobs.
But young people will need solid academic skills and work habits to train successfully for skilled jobs.
Screw up in middle school, and you close the door.
Should be on the letterhead of every public school in the country, and on an engraved sign in every classroom. Make sure every parent, every student, every teacher, and every school district taxpayer knows this rule. Life's too short for brats to be screwing up.
Yes and three amens to the last sentence.
Good vo-tech programs are not the place for behavior problems, ELL, many (maybe most) spec ed and/or the academically unprepared. The ability to read and understand instructional materials, follow procedures/safety rules and pay attention to details are part and parcel of vo-tech fields and kids unprepared and/or unwilling to do same don’t belong there.
My late FIL was, for decades, the principal of a strong vo-tech HS (carpentry, auto mechanics, sheet metal, tool&die, cosmetology, secretarial, Licensed Practical Nurse etc) and all of those programs had enrollment caps dictated by quantity of equipment, work stations, internship placements etc. and those weren’t wasted on those who couldn’t do the work. All had specific academic…
'Some are pushing to admit all students by a "blind lottery" without regard for their middle-school grades, attendance or behavior records.'
<sarcasm>I'm sure this would make those classrooms much better environments for all students.</sarcasm>