State Senator Van Wanggaard says there are a number of high-schoolers who know they won’t be attending college. With these schools focusing on college entrance, he says those kids become bored often drop out. Wanggaard is backing a bill that would allow school districts to award vocational high school diplomas which he believes could get these kids interested in school.
“It will also give students a more marketable skill set and for employers it provides more skilled workers following high school.”
The Racine Republican cites the Wisconsin Job Center website that has 5,000 open positions for skilled workers. He says the bill would the gap on job openings and those who are qualified to fill them.
Joe Quick from Wisconsin Association of School Boards is concerned the bill would water down the “already minimal standards” to graduate high school. WASB is also concerned the vocational diploma would actually narrow the students’ skills and inhibit them from being successful in an ever-changing workforce.
The bill is part of special session legislation aimed at creating jobs in Wisconsin.
AUDIO: Brian Moon reports (:59)
