Milton, PA – Today, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin joined students and staff in the Milton Area School District to highlight how career and technical education (CTE) in the high school gives students the opportunity to chart their own path, and how upgrades to classrooms at James F. Baugher Elementary are providing safe, healthy learning environments for students. Governor Shapiro has made it a priority to expand CTE in the classroom and give more students the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed by developing vocational and technical skills.
“All students deserve the freedom to learn, grow, and succeed in school,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin. “By making sure students have safe, healthy classrooms and learning environments, and giving them the opportunity to chart their own course and take advantage of career and technical education programs while still in high school, students are being set up for lifelong success and engaging, rewarding future careers.”
Career and technical education programs give students the ability to gain useful skills necessary for their future careers, and the ability to network and connect with local businesses, some of which are their future employers. More than 200 school districts, charter schools, and career and technical centers across the Commonwealth offer nearly 2,000 PDE-approved CTE programs, providing education to over 68,000 students. This system creates work-ready students with credentials to jump right into employment opportunities through a variety of avenues, including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, internships, and more.
“The Milton Area School District is Panther Proud to welcome Dr. Mumin!” said Milton Area School District Superintendent John Bickhart. “Our students and their future are our focus here in Milton. We are excited to share our newly renovated classrooms at James F. Baugher Elementary as well as our CTE programs and Wellness Center at our high school with Dr. Mumin.”
Governor Shapiro’s 2023-24 commonsense, bipartisan budget delivers on his top priorities to create a stronger economy, safer and healthier communities, and better schools. This budget makes historic investments in Pennsylvania children’s education, including $567 million in basic education funding – the largest increase to the Basic Education Funding Formula in Pennsylvania history. It also includes $23.5 million to bring career and technical education back into the classroom, giving every student the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.
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MEDIA CONTACT: Taj Magruder, tmagruder@pa.gov
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