LYNN — A revised admissions policy to the Lynn Vocational Technical Institute (LVTI) for the fall 2022 enrollment cycle puts more weight behind the candidate-interview process, and requires them to submit “an artifact” that “uniquely expresses their personal passion and interest” in receiving a technical education.
The Policy subcommittee of the School Committee reviewed and unanimously approved, at a special meeting on Tuesday evening, the revised admissions policy. It was approved to move to the full School Committee as a one-year pilot for the high-school program, meaning it will be reevaluated before the 2023 enrollment cycle.
The revision was caused by changes in the state admissions regulations for Chapter 74 vocational schools and programs that were approved by the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (MBESE) in June 2021. As a result, MBESE obligated local school committees to revise their policies in alignment with state and federal regulations and guidance.
Fred Gallo, principal-director of Lynn Tech, presented the proposal of the revised admissions policy. He said the old policy was in effect for about 15 years and helped bring LVTI where it is, but the policy became obsolete and does not correspond to the school’s values anymore, leaving very deserving students out, Gallo said.
Last year, LVTI received about 600 applications for 320 student slots, said Gallo.
“The purpose of the redesign of the policy is to make it more equitable,” Gallo said. “We have limited spots and I would like to see students that will benefit most from it.”
Gallo put forward a solid proposal, said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler in his foreword. For many years, vocational schools had the same admission policies, and the conversation on the state level was about whether those policies were equitable. Vocational schools are very popular right now around Massachusetts, said Tutwiler, which prompted this review process and criteria that are far more equitable and very aligned with the values of Lynn Public Schools.
Starting with the fall 2022 enrollment cycle, candidates will be required not only to submit an application but also “an artifact,” which will allow them to “uniquely express their personal passion and interest in attending Lynn Tech and receiving a technical education,” the proposal said.
LVTI will continue to score a student’s application based on academic grades, attendance record, discipline record and an interview; however, the interview will carry a much higher weight in the total score. Previously an interview accounted for only 10 percent, but now it would constitute 45 percent, the highest share in the total score.
Academic grades (formerly, 32 percent) and attendance record (formerly, 25 percent) will be equally important, contributing 20 percent each. A student’s discipline record will account for the remaining 15 percent of the score. The revised policy does not require a recommendation letter anymore.
This change to scoring was designed to ensure and support the school’s commitment to inclusivity. Gallo said that academic grades reflect such LVTI values as work ethic, passion, involvement and responsibility; attendance record shows involvement, responsibility and community; discipline record demonstrates respect, leadership, integrity and community; and interviews will show students’ passion and interest.
Moreover, grades A through C will be scored equally because students with Cs “are no less deserving of technical education than those receiving As,” the policy proposal said.
“A lot of times this average student can be very successful with us,” said Gallo about the students that try hard but stay around an average C grade. “We still think academics are important; we are not going to water down our academics. But what we find is that some students don’t do well academically but they do well vocationally.”
The revised policy makes the admissions process hybrid, with both a ranked scoring and a weighted lottery system used in the selection process. Approximately 75 percent of available seats will be offered by rank. The remainder will be distributed through three weighted lotteries in winter, spring and summer to ensure equitable access for all potential applicants.
“Your score still matters,” said Gallo.
Students will get a number of chances in the lottery proportionally to their score, he said.
Moreover, if students come outside of the admission deadline, Gallo said, LVTI will still accept their application. Students who don’t win the lottery will be put on a waitlist with an unique ID number instead of full name for fair future selection.
The LVTI admissions policy gives priority to Lynn residents who meet the minimum requirements for admission vs any non-resident students seeking the same program. It also guarantees fair treatment of candidates regardless of their race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability. If a student’s primary home language is not English, LVTI will provide them with an application form in their home language.
The policy states that LVTI is committed to providing educational opportunities to students experiencing homelessness.
LVTI will start to present information about the school to all seventh-grade students in Lynn Public Schools and it will bring all in-district eighth-grade students to Lynn Vocational Technical Institute for tours to show off the facilities and programs.
School Committee member Michael Satterwite welcomed the changes in the admission criteria, saying that he always thought LVTI should be open to more people. He noted, however, that the revised policy does not address the cap on admission numbers.
Member of the School Committee Lorraine Gately suggested that LVTI should bring students for tours in seventh grade so they “see a carrot.”
“With your new system of measurements they will be doing far better because they now know the expectations,” she said.
“I am thrilled with it,” said Committee Vice Chair Donna Coppola. She said that the Lynn population has changed very much with new people moving in from other states and countries and they need the opportunity to study at LVTI.
Gallo said he believed that the new admissions policy will work. He is planning to survey students in the future and do focus groups among teachers, counselors, parents and middle schoolers to make sure that the policy continues to align with the LVTI values.
“I have a passion for this school. I do want what’s best for Lynn Tech and the students of Lynn and I want what’s better for the students of LVTI,” said Gallo. “I believe this will allow us to have those students who have that desire to be at Lynn Tech, who have that interest and want to be there for the right reasons.”
