Demand high for spots in Conn. tech high schools

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Recent uncertainty about the future of Connecticut's technical high schools hasn't dampened the interest of their prospective students.

New figures released at the State Board of Education meeting Friday show more than 7,800 students applied for about 2,700 freshman spots next fall in the 16 state-run schools, which have about 11,000 students in four grades.

Demand is so high that some, like Waterbury's Kaynor Tech and Milford's Platt Tech, have four applicants for every opening.

The technical schools have been in the spotlight since Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed, then rescinded, a plan to turn them over to the municipalities that host them. A study committee also recommended keeping them under state control.

The schools offer high school degrees in a college prep curriculum and training in 38 technical fields.