MAVA Colleagues, We thank our good friend Tim Murray for sharing this piece with us. David Mass. Education leader talks about changes to graduation requirements, admissions <![if !vml]><![endif]>Massachusetts Education Secretary Pat Tutwiler talks about a new lottery system for vocational school admissions and the voter-approved end to the MCAS prerequisite for high school graduation. By … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are truly excited to announce that four (4) MAVA vocational technical & agricultural schools are receiving hands-on training equipment and professional development support, totaling $442,340 and serving 680 students. Jeremy Guay, Associate Principal for Career and Technical Education, Attleboro High School: “Receiving a clean energy grant will … Read more

Let us remember all our heroes who have left us while fighting for our country." "Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom." "This Memorial Day, we remember those heroes who courageously gave their lives." "May we never forget that freedom isn’t free." David J. Ferreira … Read more

Colleagues, Very exciting news from Franklin County Career Technical School in Turners Falls. David ‘The community needed this’: Franklin Tech celebrates new veterinary and animal sciences building <![if !vml]><![endif]> Veterinary and animal science students at Franklin County Technical School cut the ribbon on their new building in front of state legislators, Franklin Tech administrators and … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, At the request of our Executive Director, we are very pleased on behalf of Bob LePage, Assistant Secretary for Career Education, to extend this information concerning a competition for your Chapter 74 students. Additional information may be found below and at the following link: The Massachusetts Seal, Flag, and Motto Advisory Commission is … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, As we head “down the stretch” of the school year, there remain some outstanding professional development opportunities for your staff! Connecting for Success 2025 promises to be the Best Conference yet! Please be sure all members of your staff are reminded of this outstanding annual event. The registration links may be found below. … Read more

MAVA members, We are pleased to share this update from Jarrod Lussier, MassCTE Leadership Coordinator. In the event you are not aware Jarrod is the Vocational Supervisor/Cooperative Coordinator at Southeastern Regional. MassCTE Leadership Day, an annual professional development event, occurred on March 28, 2025, at the Renaissance Hotel at Patriot Place, Gillette Stadium. Jarrod is … Read more

Colleagues, We are excited to share this exciting news from our colleagues at Madison Park. A new Pre-Apprenticeship program for Madison Park students. Paul Neal, Head of School at Madison stated “We are very pleased that each year 50 of our students graduating from one of our construction trade programs will be eligible to enter … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are pleased to share this interesting story from our colleagues at Monty Tech. David Monty Tech students experience firefighter training at MA Fire Academy Students from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School take turns operating a fire hose during firefighter training in April at the Massachusetts Fire Academy … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We learned recently, from our colleagues at Minuteman Tech, of an exciting award that will enable the school to offer a range of free services to seniors in Lexington and Minuteman’s in-district communities through its various vocational programs. The program aims to engage students in real-world applications of … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, In the event that you did not receive this Shoutout directly on LinkedIn, we are pleased to share. Amazing effort by Karen and the entire SkillsUSA Team!! Massachusetts SkillsUSA HVAC State Contest Chris Faucher • 1stDirector of Curriculum and Instruction at the Peterson School Another Great Massachusetts SkillsUSA HVAC State Contest at Blackstone … Read more

Colleagues, We thank our Executive Director for bringing this piece to our attention. You may also find the full article at this link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/mike-rowe-warns-of-troubling-trend-among-working-age-men-says-trades-are-the-answer/ar-AA1Elnbi?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=HCTS&cvid=2cf58d68d94f417487c8824a234c6846&ei=30 Mike Rowe warns of troubling trend among working-age men, says trades are the answer Mike Rowe, known by many as host of the popular show "Dirty Jobs" and the CEO of … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are sharing this piece originally published in the Wall Street Journal. Our thanks is extended to Superintendent Roger Forget at Upper Cape Tech for sharing this with us. David US companies offer high school juniors $70,000 per year trade jobs "I tell them, don’t call me for … Read more

Friends of Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education. Pioneer Institute Executive Director Jim Stergios submitted testimony highlighting the success of Massachusetts’ vocational-technical high schools and urging policymakers to focus on expanding capacity rather than altering existing admissions policies. We recognize their continual support for Chapter 74 vocational technical and agricultural education with great appreciation! David Email … Read more

Friends of Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are very pleased to share a video from the April 30, 2025, Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held for the school’s new MVP Academy! It is a new partnership between Monty Tech, Fitchburg Public Schools, Gardner Public Schools, and Narragansett Regional School District, making it possible for … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, We are forwarding this piece published today in the “Boston Globe”. David Mass. House moves to block vocational school lottery admissions By Christopher Huffaker Globe Staff,Updated May 2, 2025, 4:09 a.m. Regional trade schools like Greater Lawrence Tech have sought to expand capacity to meet demand, but many still use selective admissions processes. … Read more

Colleagues, Good News from Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School!! David ‘Their Eyes Light Up!’ Toshiba Grant funds enhance skill development Blackstone Valley Tech has received a $3,390 STEM grant from the Toshiba America Foundation. See how BVT has used the supplemental funds to purchase an oscilloscope training board and ten oscilloscopes for their … Read more

Friends of Chapter 74 Vocational Technical, & Agricultural Education, We are most pleased to share the testimony of Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and former Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray. He testified yesterday in front of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) calling on members to reject the … Read more

Friends of Chapter 74 Vocational Technical & Agricultural Education, We are most pleased to share this piece from The Sun Chronicle. David Our View: A good education shouldn’t depend on luck Metal fabrication freshman Maya Kettell works on a project recently at Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin. MARK STOCKWELL/THE SUN CHRONICLE Should … Read more

Colleagues, We are pleased to share this piece concerning the students and staff at Essex Tech. "Kindness Week embodies the core values we strive to instill in our students — empathy, community engagement, and cultural proficiency," Essex Tech Superintendent Heidi Riccio said. "This week is a testament to the incredible impact small acts of kindness … Read more

Colleagues, A wonderful introduction of Blackstone Valley Tech’s new superintendent-director. MAVA extends its best wishes to Anthony for many years of happiness and success. David Blackstone Valley Tech has first new superintendent in 31 years Tom Benoit The Milford Daily News Blackstone Valley Tech has named Anthony Steele II as its next superintendent-director. Steele, currently … Read more

Friends of vocational technical & agricultural education, We are excited to share the outstanding news that Dr. Sheila Harrity is the featured guest on the latest “Learning Curve Podcast” from our friends at the Pioneer Institute. You may view this at your convenience through the link https://pioneerinstitute.org/podcasts/learning-curve/ . ( Note: Dr. Harrity’s portion of the … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, We are most pleased to share this email from Lisa Sandler MAVA’s OSHA/Safety Coordinator. The attachments have ADDITIONAL INFORMATION concerning professional development opportunities for your Chapter 74 vocational technical & agricultural teachers. Please share this with all of your vocational technical & agricultural instructors!!! David Mass.gov Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development … Read more

Colleagues, A remarkable student at Essex North Shore, Ferrer Gomez, plans to attend Boston University this fall to study Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Through Essex Tech, she works at a biopharmaceutical company that is in the middle of developing microbiome therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. MAVA is pleased to recognize this special senior. David Danvers Student … Read more

MAVA Colleagues, Found this interesting competition between school nutrition programs across the Commonwealth!! This winner for the month of March was our very own Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School!!! We are pleased to send a shoutout food service director, Heather Bouley & her exceptional staff!! David Terrific Trays Competition March 2025 <![if !vml]><![endif]>Smith Vocational … Read more