Madison Reporter

Vel Phillips Memorial High School has recently received accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), signaling a significant achievement for its auto program. The certification affirms that students at the school are equipped with the necessary skills to excel in the automotive industry.

The accreditation comes after the community's support through the 2020 Referendum, which facilitated major upgrades to Memorial's career and technical education (CTE) spaces. These enhancements have elevated the program to a top-tier training center, with new facilities such as a woods and construction lab, expanded auto classrooms, and improvements to the existing auto lab. Before these renovations, the school's CTE spaces were segregated from the main building.

According to the article, ASE accreditation plays a crucial role in preparing Memorial students for post-high school endeavors, be it further technical education or careers in the industry. The significance of high school CTE is underscored by Miles Tokheim, a technology and engineering teacher at Memorial who emphasizes hands-on learning. Tokheim, who has a personal connection to CTE education, stresses the importance of practical application in teaching, stating, "the importance of bridging the gap between theory and practice, citing work order creation and vehicle repairs that have real-world applications as examples."

In recognition of Memorial's achievement, the Wisconsin Automotive and Truck Dealers Association (WATDA) Foundation, along with Easton Motors, has generously donated a van to the school. This donation will provide students with additional opportunities for hands-on automotive education, further enhancing their learning experiences.

The ASE accreditation not only validates Memorial High School's commitment to excellence in automotive education but also positions its students for success in the ever-evolving automotive industry.