The Eagle
November 2025 Issue One
Plymouth Schools Revamp Tech Program Admissions for Fairer Access Insight into changes made to ensure that all students have a chance to enroll in Plymouth Public Schools’ tech programs By Trace Flora
P
lymouth Public Schools is shaking up how students are admitted into its technical education programs, and the change has sparked debate among teachers and students alike. The new lottery-based admissions system, which will go into effect next school year, replaces the selective process that once weighed grades, attendance, and behavior, aiming to make access fairer to everyone. The shift follows a statewide mandate from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requiring all public schools to adopt random lottery admissions. Supporters say the change will eliminate barriers that previously kept some students out, while critics argue it could lower motivation and allow less committed applicants to take seats from those who have worked hard to earn them. “This wasn’t a local decision,” Mr. Mark Duffy, the College, Career, and Technical Education (CCTE) Director, said. “We are required and mandated by the State of Massachusetts, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. They made a regulation change that requires all vocational schools in the Commonwealth to now use a lottery for admissions.” Under the new system, grades and teacher recommendations no longer factor into who gets in, rather, students receive one lottery entry – or two if they have fewer than 27 absences during middle school. “The only criteria you are allowed to use is attendance from day one of grade seven to the end of the first semester of grade eight,” Mr. Duffy said. Teachers have viewed the issue from multiple angles. Mr. Carl Nielsen, the Engineering Technology teacher at Plymouth North, has witnessed firsthand how competitive the old process could be. “For years and years, I’ve been told that Engineering Technology is one of the most competitive programs with a very long waitlist… we were getting students who excel, but I felt that the system was broken because some students who would really benefit didn’t get in,” he said.
Freshman learning to drive nails Photo courtesy of Dave South
Still, Mr. Nielsen believes the lottery system may not solve the issue. “I do think reform was needed,” he said. “But I don’t think the lottery is the answer – it might actually get worse in terms of who ultimately gets into the program.” He suggested a middle ground – requiring a letter of interest from applicants to ensure students have a genuine desire to join. “Students should have a vested interest in getting into a four-year program like this,” he said. “Right now, all they have to do is sign a piece of paper.” Other teachers see more potential in the new system’s goals, even if they acknowledge the uncertainty ahead. Mrs. Karen Mullen, who teaches Allied Health, said that while the previous system did shape the student body, it also ensured clarity and fairness. “When there are not enough seats in our programs for every student entering high school, there needs to be a way to create fair and equal access. Our current admission criteria is available to students and parents; it is not left to chance,” Mullen said. Still, she recognizes that the lottery could broaden opportunities—though not without drawbacks. “I think that the change will create opportunities for students who may have previously been placed on a waitlist,” she said. “However, students with genuine interest in a program face the reality of not being admitted.” For Mrs. Mullen, success in Allied Health depends on more than just grades. “Students need grit, compassion, and a genuine interest in helping others,” she said. “It takes dedication and a lot of work to succeed.” Meanwhile, Mrs. Jessica Burns, who teaches Marketing, views the new process as a potential step toward inclusivity, and she noted that the old system sometimes excluded students who might thrive in vocational settings despite academic or behavior struggles. “Not all students are successful in academics but prove to be better suited for trades or other pathways of life,” she said. “Limiting students who truly need the vocational pathway because of academics or minor behavior concerns isn’t giving them the opportunity they may need to be successful beyond high school.”
Even so, she expressed some concern that the new process could attract students without genuine interest. “I fear that some students will throw their name in the lottery who may not truly be interested,” she said. “There should be interviews or something to measure student interest before accepting them.” Mrs. Burns remains optimistic, however, that the change could help level the playing field. “I’m hopeful the new weighted lottery is a step in the right direction,” she said. “It may give access to students whose strengths aren’t academic but who truly want to be part of our programs.” Some students have raised concerns about the new process as well. Michael Cella, a junior taking Engineering Technology, said he worries that the lottery may take away opportunities from motivated students. “For the people who worked for this, who wanted to be in tech, I don’t think it’s fair if someone who just fills out a form gets in instead… But I do think more people will try to apply now that it’s easier,” he said. Despite his criticism, Cella praised the program for shaping his future goals. “I’ve learned more in engineering than any other class,” he said. “It’s made me realize how much I want to do something in STEM in the future.” Though opinions vary, both staff and students agree that interest in Plymouth’s tech programs continues to grow faster than available seats. “The lottery guarantees a random process,” said Mr. Duffy. “But the problem still exists that we don’t have enough spots for the demand – that’s the real issue.” Junior Mia Bows ripping plywood on table saw Photo courtesy of Dave South
Page Two VHS Program
Page Two Exploring Education
Page Three Bryt Program
Page Three Gemini at PPS
Page Four AI in the Environment
Page Four Swap Shop