[Madison, Wis.] – Today, candidate for State Superintendent John Humphries released his plan to advance high-tech career education through ACES: Advanced Career Education Students.

“For too long, Wisconsin has failed to systematically leverage and support local opportunities for student training across the state. Under current leadership, DPI has left far too many students unprepared for their future,” said John Humphries, candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. “This proposal creates opportunities for vibrant school and business partnerships throughout the state, developing pipelines of opportunity for students who will gain entry into high-demand, well-paying fields, while bringing industry expertise into schools.”

As Governor Walker stated recently, “Workforce development is economic development.” In our ACES plan, high schools work with local businesses to engage in workforce development, creating training centers for any high school junior or senior to enter a training program leading to well-paying jobs.

Possible examples of collaboration include:

  • Computer technology skills in Stevens Point where Skyward is a leading employer, or in Verona where Epic Systems employs thousands of programmers.
  • Opportunities in hospitality and water safety in Wisconsin Dells.
  • Manufacturing in Milwaukee with many businesses needing skilled workers.

By funding these models using Educational Savings Accounts, we put the power in the hands of students and parents, allowing them to invest in their education in a way that has never been done in Wisconsin. We are also proposing to expand experience-based licensure to include Computer Science and other areas where there is a demand for trainers in ACES programs.

In ACES, Wisconsin will be on the forefront of career and technical education.

John Humphries is a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Over the past two decades, John has effectively served in public schools across the state, as well as in the Department of Public Instruction. In his nearly twenty years in Wisconsin education, he has worked in small rural school districts (La Farge and Dodgeville), one of the wealthiest (Middleton-Cross Plains), and the district with the highest poverty rate (Beloit).

For more information visit www.humphriesforschools.org

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