Career and Technical Education
Career and Technical Education (CTE) provides hands-on applied learning experiences that build academic knowledge, problem solving skills, general employment skills and specific career skills that lead to applicable industry credentialing. CTE includes traditional vocational technical education provided at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School as well as career pathways provided within eight of Boston’s comprehensive high schools.
Upon graduation, Career and Technical Education students enter employment, apprenticeship programs, and, two and four year colleges. There are two types of CTE Programs in Boston; Chapter 74 and non Chapter 74.
Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs are programs that meet the definition of vocational technical education contained in Massachusetts General Law Chapter 74, and are approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education pursuant to Chapter 74 and the Vocational Technical Education Regulations. These programs are all provided at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School (MPTVHS). Please note the Admission Policy and Application Procedure for MPTVHS at the end of this page.
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Programs:
- Automotive Technology
- Automotive Collision Repair & Refinishing
- Carpentry
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assisting
- Electricity
- Facilities Management
- Design and Visual Communication
- Hospitality Management
- Medical Assisting
- Health Assisting (Nursing)
- Plumbing
- Graphic Communication (Printing)
- Information Support Services and Networking
- Sheet Metalworking
- Radio & Television Broadcasting
- Office Technology/Business & Marketing
To learn more about programs and admission to Madison Park Technical Vocational High School please visit the school website at http://madisonparkhs.org/:
The Boston Public Schools has made arrangements with neighboring districts so students can have access to certain programs not offered in Boston. Students considering this option should contact the Office of Career & Technical Education for help with this process (617) 634-8079 ext. 132
Non-Chapter 74 career and technical education programs are programs that meet the federal Perkins Act definition of career and technical education but are not Chapter 74-approved vocational technical education programs. These programs provide a sequence of related courses in a defined career pathway such as health, business, or computer technology.
Non Chapter 74 Programs by High School:
- Technical Theater
- Design and Visual Communication
- Business Services/Office Technology
- Health Occupations
- Design and Visual Communication
- Marketing/Finance
- Travel and Tourism/Office Technology
- Design and Visual Communication
Horace Mann School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Computer Technology
- Media/TV/Communication Technology
The Boston Public Schools Office of Career and Technical Education oversees all the technical education programs in the Boston Public Schools that fall under the federal guidelines of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 P.L. 109-270 (Perkins IV).
Contact Information
Emily Lebo, Career and Technical Education Director
elebo@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 212-6475
Fax (617) 635-8331
Donna Hannon, Community Field Coordinator
dhannon@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8079 ext. 671
Fax (617) 635-8331
Patty Lane, Career and Technical Education Technology Trainer
plane@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 212-2921
Fax (617) 635-8331
Beverly Pierce, Project Manager
bpierce@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8079 ext. 199; Cell (617) 592-4540
Fax (617) 635-8331
Additional Programs Supported by the Career and Technical Education Office

SkillsUSA Massachusetts is a state association of SkillsUSA, a national organization serving more than 300,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.
SkillsUSA prepares America’s high performance workers. It provides quality education experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development. It builds and reinforces self-confidence, work attitudes and communications skills. It emphasizes total quality at work, high ethical standards, superior work skills, life-long education and pride in the dignity of work. SkillsUSA also promotes understanding of the free enterprise system and involvement in community service activities.
Mission Statement
SkillsUSA Massachusetts, in partnership with business and industry, provides opportunities for members to develop individually and improve teamwork, leadership and professional skills through education, training, service, and competition.
Competitions
SkillsUSA Massachusetts programs include local and state competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. During the annual State Leadership & Skills Conference, more than 1,500 students compete in 71 occupational and leadership skill areas. Gold medalists from our state proceed to join more than 4,000 students to compete in the annual national-level SkillsUSA Championships.
Total Quality
The SkillsUSA Total Quality Curriculum enhances SkillsUSA’s Quality at Work movement by preparing students for the world of work starting in the classroom. The curriculum emphasizes the competencies and essential workplace basic skill identified by employers and the U.S. Secretary of Labor’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS).
Professional Development
The Professional Development Program is a self-paced curriculum for secondary and college students. It teaches skills such as effective communication and management, teamwork, network, workplace ethnics, job interviewing and more. The curriculum involves local industry and academics and can be used in day-trades, apprenticeship training, cooperative education, school-to-work, academic and special needs programs
STRIVE
Supported Training to Reach Independence through Vocational Experiences
The Mission of STRIVE is to explore and provide pre-vocational, vocational, and transitional services to students with disabilities. STRIVE team members collaborate with student’s support team to provide pre-vocational and vocational activities. The support team includes the student, family members, classroom teachers, and school personnel. These activities may include:
• In-school Pre-vocational Training
• Career Profiles
• Work-readiness Skills Sessions
• Community Access Training
• Individual Job Development
• Practice Job Interviews
• Internships & Job Shadowing
• Resume Building
• Job Coaching
• College & Career Field Trips
• Post-secondary Preparation
• Assist with the 688 Referral Process
TRANSITION SERVICES
STRIVE staff work closely with each high school’s Special Education office to assist in developing appropriate transition plans, in accordance with Massachusetts Chapter 688 Transitional Planning Program. It is the goal of STRIVE that an appropriate adult rehabilitative service provider be in place prior to the student exiting school.
ADULT REHABILITATIVE SERVICE AGENCIES:
• Department of Children & Families (DCF)
• Department of Developmental Services (DDS)
• Department of Mental Health (DMH)
• Massachusetts Rehabilitation (MRC)
• Commission Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)
• Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
• The Bureau of Transitional Planning
FIVE STAGES OF TRANSITION
Individual student progression through the five stages of transition will be determined by the student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Not all stages are appropriate for every student. An example of one student’s plan is outlined below:
1. Intake & Relationship Building
• Conduct interest survey
• Begin one-to-one counseling
• Determine appropriate adult rehabilitative
agency alignment
2. Whole Life Planning
• Personal Life Coaching
• Support Team identification
• Chapter 688 referral(s)
• IEP meeting participation
• Family involvement
3. Community Access Training
• Use of public transportation
• Street safety
• MBTA Access Pass application
4. Action Plan Implementation
• Adult rehabilitative agency referral
• Job-skill development
• Job application, interview, & resume
• Job development & placement
5. Post-secondary Transition
• Transition planning
• Adult rehabilitative agency placement
• Post-secondary options exploration
• Post-secondary employment
STRIVE Staff
Emily Lebo, Director of Career and Technical Education
elebo@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 635-8079
Tehka Bowen, Strive Community Connections Facilitator 140
tbowen@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 839-9229 Fax (617) 635-8331
Diane Campbell, Strive Community Connections Facilitator 210
dcampbell@bostonpublicschools.org (617) 908-0615 Fax (617) 635-8331
Michael Crain, Strive Community Connections Facilitator
mcrain@bostonpublicschools.org (617) 699-8398 Fax (617) 635-8331
Donna Hannon, STRIVE Community Field Coordinator
dhannon@bostonpublicschools.org (617) 828-0274 Fax (617) 635-7932
Joan Harrington, Strive Community Connections Facilitator 675
jharrington@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 201-6362 Fax (617) 635-8331
Barbara Lowe Strive Community Connections Facilitator
blowe@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 590-7023 Fax (617) 989-4172
John McCauley, Strive Community Connections Facilitator 172
jmccauley@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 233-8391 Fax (617) 635-8331
Rayetta Perkins, Strive Community Connections Facilitator 176
rperkins@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 828-5798 Fax (617) 635-8331
Craig Ramsey, Strive Community Connections Facilitator
cramsey@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 590-5196 Fax (617) 989-4172
Brenda Tanon-Jackson, Strive Community Connections Facilitator
btanonjackson@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 828-5801 Fax (617) 635-8331
Michael Berry, Program Manager-Wentworth
mberry@bostonpublicschools.org
(617) 388-6234 Fax (617) 989-4172
Secondary Postsecondary Career/Vocational Technical Education Linkage Initiative
The Office of Career & Technical Education works with all Perkins supported programs in the district to provide linkages with postsecondary institutions and options. High school programs that align with college curriculum can receive approval for their students to receive articulated credit. Dual enrollment opportunities and ACCUPLACER testing and preparation are also offered through this relationship. Questions about accessing these opportunities? Contact your Guidance Counselor or Beverly Pierce (617) 635-8079 ext.199 or at bpierce@bostonpublicschools.org
Madison Park Technical Vocational High School Admissions Policy
I INTRODUCTION
An admissions process is necessary in technical vocational schools where space is a limiting factor. Technical vocational shops and laboratories are designed and equipped to safely serve a specific maximum number of students. Consequently, a complex of such shops and laboratories lacks both the space and flexibility to accommodate the possible needs and/or interests of all applicants. Therefore, a selection process is necessary to determine which applicants may most benefit from such educational opportunities. All applicants to grades nine through eleven applying to Boston Public Schools’ technical vocational programs located at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School will be assigned to the school, unless there is over subscription, and in that case the students will be put into a random lottery. The Boston Schools Committee approved this Admissions Policy unanimously.
II EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
Boston Public Schools admits students and makes available to them its advantages, privileges and courses of study without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, language, sexual
orientation, or disability.
III LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY STATEMENT
For students with limited English proficiency, a qualified representative from Boston Public Schools will assist the applicant in completing the necessary forms and assist in interpreting during the entire application and admissions process. Applications are available in seven (7)
languages.
IV ELIGIBILITY
Students currently enrolled in grades eight, nine, ten, and 11 (prior to October 1[or end of the first marking term]) who are residents of the Boston Public Schools District and who expect to be promoted to, or have been promoted to the grade they wish to enter, are eligible for fall admission or admission during the school year. Once assigned to Madison Park Technical Vocational High School students make their technical vocational selection. On a case-by-case basis, if after Boston residents have been assigned, there are seats available in Chapter 74 vocational technical program/s, and surrounding cities or towns are unable to offer these Chapter 74 vocational technical programs, the districts may pay out of district tuition for their students to attend.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students who are Boston residents and who were previously enrolled in a another
district’s state-approved (Chapter 74) vocational technical high school program or in
a vocational technical school in another state, will be considered for admission,
including admission during the school year if they relocate away from their current
school and wish to pursue the same course of study at MPTVHS, and if there is room
available. Their applications will be evaluated according to the provisions of the BPS
Admissions Policy.
WITHDRAWN STUDENTS
Students who withdraw from the technical vocational programs at MPTVHS and who
are not attending another high school and wish to return to MPTVHS will be
reassigned to MPTVHS following the procedures contained in the BPS Admissions
Policy.
V ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Boston Public Schools is committed to providing quality technical vocational and academic programs. Madison Park Technical Vocational High School (MPTVHS) is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The technical vocational programs, including the exploratory program, are aligned with the academies or grades. It is the responsibility of the Department of Implementation Family Resource Center to supervise the administration of the policies and procedures required to admit and enroll applicants in conformity with this BPS Admissions Policy. The Department of Implementation Family Resource Center is responsible for disseminating information about the technical vocational programs through local school guidance offices and
mailing to all eighth-grade students and their parent(s) /guardian(s) and for collecting
applications from the local schools.
VI RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Boston Public Schools disseminates information about the technical vocational programs through a variety of methods: During the month of September, information concerning career opportunities in the technical vocational programs is distributed to all Boston middle school guidance offices and mailed to all grade eight students and their parent(s) /guardian(s). On-site presentations to Boston middle schools are available upon the request of the school principals, guidance counselors, and support services coordinators.
In October, an Open House at MPTVHS is scheduled. Prospective students and their parent(s) /guardian(s) have an opportunity to visit all technical vocational programs to learn more about the application process, school policies and technical vocational careers.
Brochures, which describe technical vocational programs, academic courses, sports, cooperative education, and special education resources and other resources, are distributed during the 8th grade visitations and the Open Houses.
ADMISSIONS APPLICATION PROCESS – FOR GRADES NINE, TEN AND ELEVEN
In January, MPTVHS will appear as a choice on the student application. The parent must mark one of the school’s technical vocational programs as a choice for assignment on the application in order to receive consideration. Students interested in applying to the technical vocational programs at MPTVHS for admission to grades 9,10, or 11 must return the completed application form to the Family Resource Center. MPTVHS does not count as a transfer if transferring out of MPTVHS. Students attending MPTVHS must successfully complete two consecutive years, one being the senior year, in their technical vocational program and complete all of the other Boston Public School and state graduation requirements to receive a diploma and a technical vocational certificate.
VII SELECTION CRITERIA
1. In order to enroll in the technical vocational programs at MPTVHS, applicants must have been promoted or be eligible for transition services.
2. A lottery conducted by the BPS Department of Implementation will be used to select eligible students for admission to MPTVHS.
3. Special Education Evaluation Teams will recommend students for special education
exploratory and vocational training programs.
4. The Department of Implementation will notify all applicants once their application has been received by the Family Resource Center.
5. Upon admission to MPTVHS, Limited English Proficient students in need of Sheltered
English Instruction will be administered the Boston Public Schools’ Second Language
Assessment. Special Education Evaluation Teams will recommend students with disabilities for exploratory and vocational programs. The Individual Education Plans for students with disabilities will include the specific TEAM recommendations. Whenever possible a representative from the sending school will provide the TEAM with information in order to help the TEAM identify services or accommodations that may be necessary.
VIII TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL PROGRAM PLACEMENT
All incoming freshmen participate in the Exploratory Program designed to help them learn about their talents and interests relative to a variety of different Technical Vocational programs. The Exploratory Program runs from September until early May when students can enter the program that they choose and are admitted to, based on the admission policy. Technical Vocational program (shop) teachers evaluate students during the exploratory program. The student is evaluated and scored (total of 0-25 points) on: Demonstrates full participation in activities, Demonstrates willingness to learn about program, Demonstrates basic understanding of vocational program, Demonstrates cooperation and respect for peers and instructor, Demonstrates safe handling of tools and equipment. Students are given scores of 0-25 for each
vocational program explored. At the completion of their last exploratory rotation students are required to select three shops in order of preference.
These selections are submitted to the guidance office and students will be placed into their permanent shop based on the point total they received in all shops combined during the exploratory period. For example, a student with a point total of 92 would be placed in the shop of their choice before a student with a point total of 20. If a shop fills, based on point total, before a student gets his/her first choice, the guidance counselor then moves to the students’ second or third choice depending upon whether there is an opening in the shop. Again the student is admitted based upon overall point total. If a student’s point total in all shops combined is so low that they were not placed in their second or third choice shop because shops were filled by students with higher point totals, the guidance counselor will meet with the student and present a list of the shops with openings which the student explored and ask the student to choose one of them. Again, students selecting shops from among the shops with openings, which the student explored, will be admitted based on their point totals. The process continues until all students are placed.
Grade 10 and 11 students who wish to transfer from one shop to another during the school year may apply for transfer through their guidance counselor. The counselor will work with the student, parents, and the vocational director at Madison Park. Transfer requests will be considered subject to the availability of openings in the requested shops. Each transfer applicant will be interviewed and counseled individually to determine the suitability of the transfer. Students who enroll at Madison Park Technical Vocational High School after grade nine may explore vocational technical programs that have openings before making a program selection. Students are evaluated and graded by each shop teacher during the period of exploration. If the number of enrollees seeking a particular shop exceeds the number of openings, the evaluative grades received by the students are rank ordered and will determine which enrollee are placed in the particular shop.
Other Resources
- Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
- Massachusetts Career Information System (CIS)
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Office of Career/Vocational Education
