WORCESTER, Mass. - We're hearing from the president of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce about the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education's vote to use a weighted lottery system to admit students into vocational schools. 

President and CEO Tim Murray said the decision will water down admissions standards, limit voc-tech access for students and undermine the pipeline of skilled workers.  

He said a student's future shouldn't be determined by an unproven lottery system. 

"If you've got a seventh or eighth grader that's showing up to school every day, working hard academically and not a problem in the classroom, that should be something we reward and encourage and we want,” said Murray. “Unfortunately, this admission program basically says to a student that's working hard, that doesn't matter and that you are going to be evaluated pretty much the same way as someone who has up to 27 unexcused absences, is not performing in the classroom or potentially is a behavioral problem."

Supporters of the ruling say the move will ensure fairness when there are more applicants than available seats. 

The lottery system is set to go into effect in the 2026-2027 school year.

State Representative Frank Moran filed legislation to pause implementation of the policy and establish a task force to study voc-tech admissions practices and develop effective solutions.