Madison Reporter

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) has a long history of providing Career and Technical Education (CTE), with its origins dating back to 1904. That year, the district introduced a program called “Manual Training,” designed to blend practical skills with academic instruction. Early annual reports indicate that the district saw vocational education as a way to better prepare students for employment in an increasingly industrialized society.

Superintendent R. B. Dudgeon wrote in 1904, “It can therefore be said that the physical and mental powers must develop together; that hand training is really mind training. These exercises afford a special training of the hand and fingers and give an excellent preparation for the whole range of multiplied activities incident to the individual life, the home duties and the broad field of the world’s industries.”

Initially, male students spent one hour each week working with tools, while female students learned about domestic tasks such as sewing and cooking. As educational trends shifted, so did MMSD’s approach. By 1921, “Manual Training” became known as “Vocational School,” reflecting broader course offerings.

During the Great Depression in 1933, MMSD offered 79 classes across five categories, including academic subjects like algebra, art courses such as reedwork, and industry-focused classes like auto mechanics. The program was also opened up to unemployed adults seeking practical skills.

Superintendent R. W. Bardwell noted in his 1933 report: “During the past three years large numbers of men and women who were unemployed found the school to be a real source of help. They did not wish academic or trade extension training, but wanted something to do with their hands.”

By the 1960s, vocational programs included pathways toward apprenticeships and journeyman licenses. According to district leaders at that time, every student completing these programs had job opportunities upon graduation. The curriculum also expanded beyond traditional trades to include business education and driver’s education.

In recent decades, CTE at MMSD has continued to grow. Today’s offerings cover engineering, technology, health care, business, marketing, information technology and more—integrating core academics with specific career skills.

“Our current approach to CTE works to ensure a range of opportunities are available to all students,” said Meg Filkins, Director of Pathways and CTE at MMSD. “Especially to girls, students of color, students with disabilities and students for whom English is not their first language.”

CTE programming now extends into summer months as well; in 2025 alone more than 20 different camps took place at 39 schools with nearly 300 student participants.

One middle schooler attending a carpentry camp shared his experience: “I joined this originally for the power tools, but it’s a little bit more than that... I’ve used everything now, and I've made a lot of new friends here. It’s overall just a really good camp.”

Looking ahead, MMSD officials say they will keep updating their programs in response to changing workforce needs: “We’ll continue to offer opportunities for students to earn post-secondary credentials and college credits while still in high school,” according to district staff. “Plus continue to change and evolve based on industry needs, our ever changing community, and the needs and interests of our students.”