Bill > H519

This bill introduces new provisions for admissions to vocational-technical schools and programs in Massachusetts to promote equitable workforce development. Specifically, the bill establishes a weighted lottery system for schools when they have more eligible applicants than available spaces, with preference given to protected classes including students of color, economically disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and English language learners. Applicants will only need to provide their current school and contact information to participate in the lottery. Schools must create and maintain a waitlist based on the lottery order and forward this list to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education by June 1st. The bill requires the commissioner of education to collect and annually publish comprehensive data on application, admission, enrollment, and waitlist information, focusing on demographic diversity and student populations receiving special education services. This data must be filed with legislative clerks and made publicly available online by November 1st each year. The state Board of Education will be responsible for developing regulations to implement and enforce these new admission requirements, with the overarching goal of creating a more inclusive and accessible vocational-technical education system.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H519