WITI-TV, Milwaukee— 

The country's top education official made a special stop in Milwaukee Friday. The United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan visited the Milwaukee School of Career and Technical Education as part of his three-day national bus tour.

The School of Career and Technical Education is a new Milwaukee Public Schools charter school created with federal school improvement grants, to focus on education in the skilled trades.

The students earn dual credits - in both high school and college.

"That's part of the reason we came here today," said Duncan. "This school is doing some really creative things that have real skills that lead to real jobs."

In a town hall meeting Friday, along with White House Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes, he answered questions and commended the school for its focus.

"You've got the equation right and you stand as an example for the rest of the country and we want to shine a light on you and tell others to do what's happening here in Milwaukee," said Barnes.

Governor Scott Walker, Senator Ron Johnson, Mayor Tom Barrett and both the state and district superintendents were in attendance.

They all agreed that early education is vital in preparing students for the global workforce. But there was one thing Secretary Duncan didn't agree on - the state's approach to collective bargaining.

"I think limiting collective bargaining rights are not the right way to go. I think we need to have all these voices at the table," said Duncan.

Duncan said other school districts have been successful using collective bargaining to close achievement gaps.

Walker agrees that a partnership needs to be made in order for the students to achieve.

"My hope is the leadership of Superintendent and others here will find a way to be collaborative and move forward. We need that in the state," said Walker.

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