Press Release: Gov. Evers Signs Bill Aimed at Bolstering State’s Workforce by Creating a Direct Admission Program for UW System

State of Wisconsin sent this bulletin at 02/20/2024 02:00 PM CST
Office of Governor Tony Evers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 2024
Contact: GovPress@wisconsin.gov 
 
Gov. Evers Signs Bill Aimed at Bolstering State’s Workforce by Creating a Direct Admission Program for UW System
Bill guarantees admission for top achieving students, helping train and retain Wisconsin’s homegrown talent
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today signed Senate Bill 367, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 95, requiring the Board of Regents at the University of Wisconsin (UW) System to establish a guaranteed admission program for certain Wisconsin high school students. According to the UW System, nearly 90 percent of in-state UW System graduates stay in Wisconsin five years after graduation.

“Our state faces immense workforce challenges, and bolstering our workforce to make sure it can meet the needs of the 21st Century means working to keep our state’s homegrown talent right here in Wisconsin. Our UW System is a critical partner in this work as a major economic driver and a critical resource for building our state’s next-generation workforce by helping train and retain the talented students we already have here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “I’m glad to be signing this important legislation that will help address our state’s generational workforce challenges by ensuring greater access and opportunities for our kids to go to school, start their careers, and build their futures in Wisconsin.”

Senate Bill 367, now 2023 Wisconsin Act 95: 
  • Requires the establishment of a guaranteed admission program to institutions in the UW System for pupils who rank within the top five percent or 10 percent of their high school class, depending on the UW System institution; and 
  • Requires school boards, charter school operators, and governing bodies of private and Tribal high schools operating grades 11 and 12 to prepare a class ranking of pupils at the completion of grade 11 if there are at least 15 pupils in the class.
 
An online version of this release is available here.
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