Jill Biden visits Green Bay to promote administration's education policies

First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona were in Green Bay on Friday to promote the Biden administration's education policies.

They visited the city's Railyard Innovation District, met with state and local officials, and spoke to high school students about Green Bay's career development programs.

Cardona said it is important to provide students with job skills in high school to meet the demands of the 21st century workforce.

“For too long, we have perpetuated a system in education that is designed around narrow paths to opportunity, which has created a four-year college or bust mentality across the country. But that doesn’t work,” he says. “We need to evolve our schools. We need to move toward a reality where schools move more quickly to meet the demands of today's workforce.”

Cardona said Wisconsin is doing just that, noting the state received nearly $1.5 million from the Biden administration's Career Connected High School Program.

“My fellow Wisconsinites, you have proven yourself worthy of our state's motto, 'Forward,'” Cardona said.

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said federal funding for professional development will help build on the work being done in the Wisconsin Apprenticeship System. He said the program has had “record enrollment” in recent years, with more than 8,300 students participating.

“We are excited to be able to further build on this effort with 20 pilot schools across the state who will receive funding to prepare and connect more than 10,000 students to these valuable career and technical education resources. “Yes,” Evers said.

Biden said the work being done in Wisconsin schools is an example of his administration's education vision in action.

“President Biden and state leaders will reimagine middle school and high school classrooms, transforming them into places where students can try different careers, explore their interests, and discover how to turn those interests into high-paying jobs. “We are trying to transform education,” she said. she said.

At a media conference ahead of the first lady's visit, Wisconsin Republican officials painted a different picture. State Republican Party Chairman Brian Simming said a survey by the Wisconsin Manufacturing and Commerce Association, a conservative business lobby, found that nearly three-quarters of the state's companies believe that the K-12 education system is preparing students for the workforce. He cited that it was found that the government did not think that the

“They are spending thousands on wasteful (diversity, equity and inclusion) spending at public universities, rather than investing in real skills that will benefit Wisconsin's workers,” Simming said of the state's public education. “We hope to spend $1,000,” he said.

De Pere Education Commissioner Melissa Niffenegger said at a Republican press conference that she believes the state is facing a “crisis in the public education sector.”

Students and local officials share career-focused efforts

But students and educators who met with the first lady and the secretary of education said they believe in professional development opportunities that will help kids succeed after high school.

Mishicot High School senior Adam Backus participated in a youth internship at Holy Family Hospital as a certified nursing assistant.

Backus said he joined the program after experiencing the medical system firsthand when he ruptured his spleen while playing soccer. This boy spent a week in the intensive care unit and became grateful to medical professionals.

Backus said when she had the opportunity to participate in youth training at a local hospital, she jumped at the chance.

“This is my first year doing this,” he said. “I got to work with the nurses and help with their care. I got to do some really amazing things. I got my catheter out. I got my IV out. It's crazy.”

Mishicot senior Caitlin Callahan has a young apprentice at Shoreline Credit Union. She said that although she takes all the business classes available at school, her practicum gave her the opportunity to understand what it's like to work in a professional environment.

“Working in an office environment teaches you how to dress professionally, send proper emails, and communicate effectively with your team and boss,” she said. “In the future, I would like to take more accounting internships and eventually find a job in the field after college.”

When Callahan talked about balancing school, work and sports, Biden smiled at her and said, “I'm sure you'll find a job.”

Biden added that school districts in northeastern Wisconsin are working to give children opportunities that last a lifetime.

“You are providing students with a great education and the opportunity to discover what they want to do, giving them a solid foundation for the future,” she said.

The visit is the latest in efforts leading up to the presidential election.

Friday was the first lady's third trip to the state since August 2023, when she stopped in Madison to highlight the White House's cancer prevention efforts and support for public schools. In October, she visited the Menominee Reservation as part of a two-day trip to northeastern Wisconsin.

President Joe Biden was in Superior last month to promote his administration's infrastructure investments. The president made stops in Milwaukee in August and December to promote anti-inflation legislation and efforts to support black-owned businesses.

Vice President Kamala Harris also stopped by Wisconsin last month to discuss abortion rights.

Friday's visit comes as the latest poll from Marquette University School of Law shows Biden and former President Donald Trump in Wisconsin with the November election just nine months away. Ta.