MDE awards $5 million to districts to expand CTE programs, opportunities

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Lansing, Mich., has announced it has awarded $5 million in grants to 14 districts and intermediate districts to purchase specialized equipment and expand programs.

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Innovation and Equipment Grants will allow districts to obtain equipment to expand career and technical education programs in manufacturing with an emphasis on mechatronics, CNC machining, and welding.

The $5 million in competitive grants is part of an overall $12.5 million program, with $7 million distributed equally to Career Education Planning Districts across the state. MDE received 62 applications for the competitive grants, totaling $26.8 million in requested funds.