{"id":1314799,"date":"2026-03-04T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/?p=1314799"},"modified":"2026-03-06T12:52:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:52:30","slug":"wisconsin-career-technical-education-public-high-school-job-training-funding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-career-technical-education-public-high-school-job-training-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly every state funds hands-on job training in high schools. Why not Wisconsin?","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><b>Reading Time: <\/b><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 6<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary>Click here to read highlights from the story<\/summary>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In most states, career and technical education programs have received increasing bipartisan support and financial investments. That includes lawmakers creating funding flows in several states that previously lacked them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>But Wisconsin hasn\u2019t done the same, despite efforts from some state leaders.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As a result, access to these courses is uneven across the state, and the programs rely on federal funds many school leaders say are insufficient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly said she\u2019ll continue to press the Legislature to fund career and technical education programs in the next budget cycle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Watch a video version of the story <a href=\"https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/eN-h0ffHT0E?si=bvRcrZCazIjisDVK\">here<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly traversed the state last month to visit classrooms, she saw students harvesting and selling farm-fresh food, managing coffee shops and learning in wood shops, among other hands-on training.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through career and technical education programs, high school students can take unconventional classes like these that train them for in-demand jobs.<strong> <\/strong>The classes are popular among students, and schools want to offer more of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cKids&#8217; imaginations and their talents completely jump to life when they&#8217;re immersed in these settings and in these classrooms,\u201d Underly said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But whether students can access classes like these largely depends on if their school district can cobble together the funding. That\u2019s because Wisconsin is one of just five states that don\u2019t dedicate state funding to public schools for career and technical education programs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In most states, programs teaching students hands-on job skills have secured increasing bipartisan support and financial investments in recent years, with lawmakers creating funding flows in states that previously lacked them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wisconsin hasn\u2019t done the same, leaving access to career and technical education uneven across the state. The programs rely mainly on federal funds many school leaders call insufficient.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During Wisconsin\u2019s most recent budget process, Underly requested $45 million for schools to spend on career and technical education. But as other issues took precedence, lawmakers rejected that proposal, likely leaving schools without guaranteed state funding for at least another two years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06.jpg?resize=782%2C521&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Three people wearing safety glasses stand around a wooden gear-shaped piece on a table in a large room with machinery and ventilation ducts visible and other people in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-1314805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=782%2C521&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=336%2C224&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=140%2C93&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd06-782x521.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Senior Thor Tuura, 17, shows Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly a project he worked on as part of Northwestern High School\u2019s career and technical education program on Feb. 25, 2026. Wisconsin gets $25.5 million in federal funds for career and technical education, $8.3 million of which is appropriated to high school programs. (Erica Dischino for Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to make sure that every kid has these opportunities, and if we were to have dedicated state funding, we can make sure that they do,\u201d Underly said. \u201cOtherwise, we&#8217;re just leaving it up to districts. And sometimes whether a district can pass a referendum or not is going to be the difference of if they offer these programs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schools and state education leaders say the federal funding schools get right now falls short of covering these programs, which are often pricey and require high-tech tools and teachers with field experience.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make up the difference, schools often rely on piecemeal funding such as grants and donations, or ask voters to approve tax increases to fund new programs. The state has offered more piecemeal grants in recent years, but those funds are unpredictable.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles  wpnbha is-grid columns-2 colgap-2 show-image image-alignleft ts-2 is-3 is-landscape \"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"1314799\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"article-section-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>Related Stories<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"1311827\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-dual-enrollment tag-education tag-higher-education tag-news tag-wisconsin-watch category-pathways-to-success type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"post-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/12\/wisconsin-dual-enrollment-high-school-college-classes-teachers-students-education\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium size-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Wisconsin high schools want to offer more college classes. First, teachers must go back to school.\" data-hero-candidate=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse20251112-Dual-Enrollment-Timmerman-001.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw \/ 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw \/ 12)), 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><!-- .featured-image -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/12\/wisconsin-dual-enrollment-high-school-college-classes-teachers-students-education\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Wisconsin high schools want to offer more college classes. First, teachers must go back to school.<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"1314727\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-election-2026 tag-news tag-schools tag-statehouse tag-tony-evers tag-wisconsin-legislature tag-wisconsin-watch category-forward category-government type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"post-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-school-districts-referendums-funding-property-taxes-400-year-veto\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-large size-newspack-article-block-landscape-large wp-post-image\" alt=\"A 400-year veto, $1 billion in referendums and now a lawsuit: School districts demand more funding\" data-hero-candidate=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?zoom=2&amp;resize=1200%2C900&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse6490699-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw \/ 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw \/ 12)), 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><!-- .featured-image -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-school-districts-referendums-funding-property-taxes-400-year-veto\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">A 400-year veto, $1 billion in referendums and now a lawsuit: School districts demand more funding<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p>\u201cCareer and technical education programs are among the most effective tools we have to keep students engaged, prepare young people for good-paying jobs, and address Wisconsin\u2019s ongoing workforce shortage \u2026 Wisconsin employers are already facing serious labor shortages, and failing to invest in our workforce pipeline only makes that problem worse,\u201d state Sen. LaTonya Johnson, D-Milwaukee, a member of the Joint Finance Committee, wrote in a statement to Wisconsin Watch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wisconsin an outlier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Early hands-on job training for students has emerged as a popular solution for nationwide skilled worker shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>States passed 90 policies bolstering high school career and technical education in 2024, illustrating its increasing political support.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Advance CTE, a nonprofit representing state career and technical education leaders, reported in 2023 that state funding for high school programs was increasing, while Wisconsin was among a handful of states with no such funding formula.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14.jpg?resize=782%2C521&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A person stands beside three other people who are seated at a table in a room, looking at a computer monitor, with more computers and other equipment on more tables behind them.\" class=\"wp-image-1314806\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=782%2C521&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=336%2C224&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=140%2C93&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd14-782x521.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Technology and engineering teacher Laurence Charlier checks in with his students on Feb. 25, 2026, at Northwestern High School in Maple, Wis. Wisconsin lawmakers created \u201cincentive grants\u201d to help fund career and technical education programs statewide, bumping the allocation to $8 million in the 2023-25 biennial budget. (Erica Dischino for Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>States have since continued to increase funding, and at least one \u2014 Nebraska \u2014 has created a funding formula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Underly made her $45 million request during the 2025-27 biennial budget process. Gov. Tony Evers then suggested a pared-down version \u2013 dedicating $10 million \u2013 which was scrubbed by the Republican-controlled Joint Finance Committee and not included in the final bill.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Underly believes lawmakers rejected her request due to widespread pressure to boost funding for the special education services schools are legally required to provide.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI do think, though, that our Legislature values these programs,\u201d Underly said. \u201cThey&#8217;re very proud of the programs that they have in their school districts, but it&#8217;s one of those things where it&#8217;s just, \u2018What&#8217;s the most pressing need right now?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08.jpg?resize=782%2C521&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A snow-covered football field and bleachers are behind a parking lot filled with cars. A building next to the football field entrance has a sign that says &quot;Northwestern Tigers State Champions 1988&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-1314808\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=782%2C521&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=336%2C224&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=140%2C93&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd08-782x521.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Students in Northwestern High School\u2019s career and technical education program built signage for their sports stadium, seen on Feb. 25, 2026, in Maple, Wis. Advocates for career and technical education say reliable sources of state funding expand access, offer stability and allow programs to be flexible as workforce needs change. (Erica Dischino for Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Wisconsin Watch asked all 16 lawmakers on the Joint Finance Committee why these funds were not included in the budget. Just three responded. Two Democratic lawmakers pointed to the lack of bipartisan communication during the budget process, making it impossible to know why the funding didn\u2019t make the cut.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere is no discussion. It is not like we&#8217;re having a Mr. Smith goes to Washington, kind of a debate,\u201d said state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison. \u201cThere&#8217;s no <a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/02\/wisconsin-wisconsineye-state-capitol-coverage-resumes-legislature-funding\/\">WisconsinEye<\/a> footage where I can point to them, where Democrats say, \u2018Well, we should do this,\u2019 and Republicans say, \u2018Well, actually, we don&#8217;t want to do that.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Continuing the status quo?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of Wisconsin students enrolled in career and technical education courses has remained stagnant over the past few years, the most recent state data shows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Roughly 64% of Wisconsin high schoolers have taken one of these classes, while just 25% have taken more than one career-focused course.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07.jpg?resize=782%2C521&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Four people stand and sit in a room with cabinets, drawers, a sink and other items behind them, looking at a person who is gesturing in the foreground.\" class=\"wp-image-1314809\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=782%2C521&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=336%2C224&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=140%2C93&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd07-782x521.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Certified nursing assistant students speak with Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly during a tour of Northwestern High School\u2019s career and technical education program on Feb. 25, 2026, in Maple, Wis. (Erica Dischino for Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Wisconsin gets $25.5 million in federal funds for career and technical education, $8.3 million of which is appropriated to high school programs. Schools have used these funds to \u201ckeep the lights on,\u201d said Sara Baird, the Department of Public Instruction\u2019s career and technical education section director. In fact, 23 states give more in state dollars than they receive in federal funds, said Laura Maldonado, senior research associate for Advance CTE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the meantime, Wisconsin has allocated career and technical education grant money to schools. Rather than directly funding programs, the funds are \u201cincentive grants,\u201d meaning they give schools money after students graduate from a career and technical education program and earn a certification in a high-need industry. In the 2023-25 biennium, lawmakers bumped the pot from $6.5 million to $8 million, where it stayed in the 2025-27 budget.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a response to Wisconsin Watch\u2019s request for an interview, Joint Finance Committee Co-Chair Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, didn\u2019t say why the committee denied the request for career and technical education funding. He pointed to the incentive grants as proof the Legislature \u201chas consistently supported career and technical education by investing in workforce focused programs.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"521\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04.jpg?resize=782%2C521&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"A group of people wearing safety glasses stand in a room with a chair in the middle near yellow cabinets labeled &quot;FLAMMABLE&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-1314812\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=782%2C521&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=336%2C224&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=140%2C93&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=2048%2C1365&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=2000%2C1333&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2000w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-scaled.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd04-782x521.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Jill Underly, Wisconsin\u2019s superintendent of public instruction, visits with students from Northwestern High School\u2019s Tiger Manufacturing and Metals shop on Feb. 25, 2026, in Maple, Wis. (Erica Dischino for Wisconsin Watch)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Advance CTE advocates for states to have dedicated funding because it expands access to more students, lends stability and allows flexibility as workforce needs change, according to Maldonado.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou&#8217;re trying to keep up with that labor market demand, and oftentimes it&#8217;s harder to do that with the federal funding,\u201d Maldonado said. \u201cYou want to have that more flexible state funding source to be able to adjust that. So I think the main thing is that (federal funding) is often insufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In December, Wisconsin Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/12\/wisconsin-appleton-technical-academy-school-students-skilled-trades-college-manufacturing\/\">reported on an Appleton technical charter school<\/a> that struggles to manage high program costs and secure donations to stay afloat. The school received state grant funding to open, but a decade later, after those initial funds dried up, staff must chase down donations from local businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<div\n\t\tclass=\"wp-block-newspack-blocks-homepage-articles  wpnbha is-grid columns-2 colgap-2 show-image image-alignleft ts-2 is-3 is-landscape \"\n\t\tstyle=\"\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t<div data-posts data-current-post-id=\"1314799\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"article-section-title\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span>more from wisconsin watch<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"1312781\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-appleton tag-education tag-new-news-lab tag-news tag-wisconsin-watch category-pathways-to-success type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"post-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/12\/wisconsin-appleton-technical-academy-school-students-skilled-trades-college-manufacturing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium size-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"\u2018Can&#8217;t do this alone\u2019: An Appleton school prepares students for skilled trades. It\u2019s not easy.\" data-hero-candidate=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/asse720_Atech_Dec-25.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw \/ 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw \/ 12)), 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><!-- .featured-image -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/12\/wisconsin-appleton-technical-academy-school-students-skilled-trades-college-manufacturing\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">\u2018Can&#8217;t do this alone\u2019: An Appleton school prepares students for skilled trades. It\u2019s not easy.<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\n\t<article data-post-id=\"1309946\"\n\t\tclass=\"tag-kewaunee-county tag-kewaunee-power-station tag-new-news-lab tag-news tag-nuclear tag-wisconsin-watch tag-work category-pathways-to-success type-post post-has-image\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"post-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/10\/wisconsin-kewaunee-county-nuclear-power-plant-station-work\/\" rel=\"bookmark\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium size-newspack-article-block-landscape-medium wp-post-image\" alt=\"Here\u2019s what the return of nuclear power to Kewaunee County means for Wisconsin\u2019s workforce\" data-hero-candidate=\"1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=600%2C450&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=400%2C300&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=200%2C150&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/asse20250916-Kewaunee-Power-Station-Timmerman-009.jpg?resize=800%2C600&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1&amp;w=370 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 34.9rem) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 53rem) calc(8 * (100vw \/ 12)), (min-width: 53rem) calc(6 * (100vw \/ 12)), 100vw\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure><!-- .featured-image -->\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"entry-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"entry-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2025\/10\/wisconsin-kewaunee-county-nuclear-power-plant-station-work\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Here\u2019s what the return of nuclear power to Kewaunee County means for Wisconsin\u2019s workforce<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .entry-wrapper -->\n\t<\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n<p>Underly, whose term ends in July 2029, said she\u2019ll continue to press for the creation of a state funding mechanism in the next budget cycle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf it was up to me \u2026 It wouldn&#8217;t be $45 million, it would be a lot more,\u201d Underly said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Miranda Dunlap reports on pathways to success in northeast Wisconsin, working in partnership with <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencampus.org\/\"><em>Open Campus<\/em><\/a><em>. Find her on <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/bymirandadunlap\/?hl=en\"><em>Instagram<\/em><\/a><em>and <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ByMirandaDunlap\"><em>Twitter<\/em><\/a><em>, or send her an email at <\/em><a href=\"mailto:mdunlap@wisconsinwatch.org\"><em>mdunlap@wisconsinwatch.org<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"646\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=782%2C646&#038;quality=100&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1279368 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=782%2C646&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 782w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=336%2C278&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 336w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=140%2C116&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=768%2C634&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=1536%2C1269&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=2048%2C1692&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 2048w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=1200%2C991&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=1568%2C1295&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 1568w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1.png?resize=400%2C330&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/WCIJ_Logo_Stacked_FullColor_RGB-1-782x646.png?w=370&amp;quality=100&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsinwatch.org\/\">Wisconsin Watch<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsinwatch.org\/subscribe\">newsletters<\/a>\u00a0for original stories and our Friday news roundup. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether students have access to career and technical education courses largely depends on if their school district can pay for them. That\u2019s because Wisconsin is one of just five states that don\u2019t dedicate state funding to these programs in public schools.<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1314,"featured_media":1314803,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single-feature.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"gigafact_has_fact_brief":false,"gigafact_remote_fact_brief_post_id":0,"gigafact_remote_sync_timestamp":"","gigafact_remote_sync_status":"","gigafact_remote_sync_response":"","gigafact_has_been_published":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"2026-03-04T14:45:44Z","apple_news_api_id":"ad7417a1-5e23-4c2f-bc5f-908223f39955","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2026-03-06T18:52:36Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQ==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/ArXQXoV4jTC-8X5CCI_OZVQ","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"newspack_featured_image_position":"large","newspack_post_subtitle":"Whether students have access to career and technical education courses largely depends on if their school district can pay for them. That\u2019s because Wisconsin is one of just five states that don\u2019t dedicate state funding to these programs in public schools.","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[19064],"tags":[2840,19435,3656,407,3617],"partner":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"type-of-work":[],"coauthors":[19133],"class_list":["post-1314799","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pathways-to-success","tag-education","tag-jill-underly","tag-news","tag-schools","tag-wisconsin-watch","entry"],"fact_brief":null,"apple_news_notices":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-career-technical-education-public-high-school-job-training-funding\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Nearly every state funds hands-on job training in high schools. Why not Wisconsin?","url":"http:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-career-technical-education-public-high-school-job-training-funding\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/2026\/03\/wisconsin-career-technical-education-public-high-school-job-training-funding\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd03-scaled.jpg?fit=140%2C93&quality=100&ssl=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/asse02252026.WisconsinWatch.UnderlyTechEd03-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&quality=100&ssl=1"},"articleSection":"Pathways to success","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Miranda Dunlap \/ Wisconsin Watch"}],"creator":["Miranda Dunlap \/ Wisconsin Watch"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Wisconsin Watch","logo":"https:\/\/wisconsinwatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/ww-logo-footer-1.png"},"keywords":["education","jill underly","news","schools","wisconsin watch"],"dateCreated":"2026-03-04T12:00:00Z","datePublished":"2026-03-04T12:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-03-06T18:52:30Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Nearly every state funds hands-on job training in high schools. 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