(The Center Square) – State Superintendent Jill Underly’s plan to increase Wisconsin’s K-12 education spending is an additional $60 million to expand career and technical education programs in the state.
Wisconsin is one of six states without ongoing funding for the programming, Underly’s Department of Public Instruction office said.
The career and technical education proposal comes as Underly’s office is asking for $3 billion in increased funding for schools in the upcoming biennial budget as it added what it terms as $4 billion in new spending.
“My budget supports schools in creating, implementing and growing CTE and career pathways available to students,” Underly said. “These offerings help prepare students for the workforce and a future career. An educated, prepared workforce will help our state in continuing to build our economy.”
The proposal includes $45 million in career and technical education grants to school districts based upon high school enrollment along with $9 million for the state’s six career and technical education student organizations. Those include Distributive Education Clubs of America, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Health Occupations Students of America future health professionals, Future Business Leaders of America, Future Farmers of American and SkillsUSA.
“Wisconsin students need more meaningful opportunities to explore possible career aspirations – my budget proposal makes a strategic investment in both our students and our communities,” Underly said.
Underly’s budget proposal has led to debate amongst lawmakers and policy advocates in the state on what is the right level of state funding.
Underly’s proposal includes increasing the state’s reimbursement rate for special education expenses from the current 32% to 75% in financial year 2026 and 90% starting in 2027 at a cost of $2 billion over the two-year budget.
