News
December 03, 2025
Letter: Lottery admissions an unnecessary and harmful change
I’m writing today out of deep frustration with the short-sighted decision by our state Legislature to pass a law requiring technical schools like Essex Tech to adopt a lottery system for admissions.
A recent letter to the editor has ignited debate over a new state law mandating lottery-based admissions for technical schools, including Essex Technical High School. The author expresses "deep frustration" with the legislative decision, arguing that it represents an "unnecessary and harmful change" to the established admissions process.
The letter, which has quickly gained traction on social media, highlights concerns that abandoning merit-based admissions in favor of a lottery will negatively impact the quality of students and the overall effectiveness of technical education. The author emphasizes the unique nature of technical schools, where specific skills and aptitudes are often prerequisites for success in specialized programs.
"Technical schools aren't like regular high schools," the letter asserts. "Students come here with a passion for a particular trade, and our admissions process has always been designed to identify those who are most likely to thrive in a hands-on learning environment." The author fears that a lottery system will disregard these crucial factors, potentially leading to students being placed in programs they are ill-suited for, ultimately hindering their educational journey and wasting valuable resources.
The letter further suggests that the lottery system could disproportionately affect students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may have worked diligently to build a strong academic record and demonstrate their commitment to a specific trade. Under the previous merit-based system, these students had a clear pathway to gain admission based on their hard work and dedication. Now, their chances are reduced to the luck of the draw.
Supporters of the new law argue that a lottery system promotes fairness and equal opportunity, ensuring that all students, regardless of their academic standing, have a chance to attend a technical school. However, the letter writer contends that true equality lies in providing all students with access to quality education and resources that allow them to develop their skills and pursue their passions. The lottery system, they argue, is a superficial solution that fails to address the underlying issues of educational inequity.
The letter concludes with a call to action, urging community members to contact their state representatives and voice their opposition to the new law. The author hopes to spark a wider conversation about the importance of preserving merit-based admissions in technical schools and ensuring that students are given the opportunity to pursue their chosen trades based on their skills, aptitude, and dedication. The debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks as concerned parents, educators, and community members weigh in on the issue.
The letter, which has quickly gained traction on social media, highlights concerns that abandoning merit-based admissions in favor of a lottery will negatively impact the quality of students and the overall effectiveness of technical education. The author emphasizes the unique nature of technical schools, where specific skills and aptitudes are often prerequisites for success in specialized programs.
"Technical schools aren't like regular high schools," the letter asserts. "Students come here with a passion for a particular trade, and our admissions process has always been designed to identify those who are most likely to thrive in a hands-on learning environment." The author fears that a lottery system will disregard these crucial factors, potentially leading to students being placed in programs they are ill-suited for, ultimately hindering their educational journey and wasting valuable resources.
The letter further suggests that the lottery system could disproportionately affect students from disadvantaged backgrounds who may have worked diligently to build a strong academic record and demonstrate their commitment to a specific trade. Under the previous merit-based system, these students had a clear pathway to gain admission based on their hard work and dedication. Now, their chances are reduced to the luck of the draw.
Supporters of the new law argue that a lottery system promotes fairness and equal opportunity, ensuring that all students, regardless of their academic standing, have a chance to attend a technical school. However, the letter writer contends that true equality lies in providing all students with access to quality education and resources that allow them to develop their skills and pursue their passions. The lottery system, they argue, is a superficial solution that fails to address the underlying issues of educational inequity.
The letter concludes with a call to action, urging community members to contact their state representatives and voice their opposition to the new law. The author hopes to spark a wider conversation about the importance of preserving merit-based admissions in technical schools and ensuring that students are given the opportunity to pursue their chosen trades based on their skills, aptitude, and dedication. The debate is expected to continue in the coming weeks as concerned parents, educators, and community members weigh in on the issue.
Category:
Politics