Dr. Michele Harmala - Deputy Superintendent, Educator Excellence, Career and Technical Education, Special Education, and Administrative Law | Michigan Department of Education
Funding for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, crucial for preparing students for high-wage careers, is notably absent from the recently approved State House budget. This omission has been highlighted by State Superintendent Michael F. Rice, who noted that the House budget instead proposes block grant funding for various purposes, forcing CTE programs to compete with others for financial resources.
“There is no specific money in the fiscal year 2026 House budget to fund let alone expand career and technical education even as Michigan has reached record CTE completion and near-record CTE participation and demand exceeds availability of CTE programs,” Dr. Rice stated. He emphasized that the absence of dedicated funding is "disappointing and puzzling," especially since CTE programs align with several goals of Michigan’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the State Board of Education have advocated for increased investment in CTE to provide more children with opportunities to learn practical skills. “CTE programs are popular among students and parents—and there is widespread support for CTE among educators and the business community,” Dr. Rice added.
Enrollment in CTE programs has rebounded from a pandemic-related decline, surpassing pre-COVID levels. In the 2023-24 school year, enrollment reached 112,156 students, marking a significant increase from previous years. Additionally, the number of students completing entire series of courses in specific career areas has grown by over 8,000 since 2020-21.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget recommendation supports expanding CTE access by proposing $125 million to fund new state-approved programs in underserved districts. The Senate Budget allocates $50 million towards this goal, whereas the House budget does not include funds for CTE expansion.
Dr. Michele Harmala from MDE emphasized the importance of these programs: “CTE provides students with work-based learning experiences to help Michigan develop and maintain a highly skilled, sustainable workforce.” She noted that such programs can engage students who might otherwise drop out and prepare them both for immediate career entry and further education.
The State Board of Education passed a resolution earlier this year urging legislative action to increase funding for these vital educational pathways.
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