Washington STEM informs critical policy decisions
Washington STEM informs critical policy decisions
We work with communities across the state to develop our state policy agenda to ensure state investments and policies drive the best outcomes for Washington’s students and economy.
With the support our regional partners, we use an Evaluation Framework to develop a policy agenda focused on creating opportunity for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, students living in rural areas, and girls and young women.
2024 Legislative Session
As the 2024 legislative session gets underway, Washington STEM is bringing together a broad set of partners across the state to champion policies that are equitable and feasible in a legislative cycle.
- Early Learning: Strengthen cross-agency coordination to expand access, use, and sustainability of early childhood education data.
- K-12 STEM: Support school districts, students, and families in the transition to postsecondary by improving system infrastructure and increasing access to actionable statewide data.
- Career Pathways: Increase funding to the statewide education and employer network, Career Connect Washington, to build and sustain access to equitable Career Connected Learning Programs, increase postsecondary enrollment and boost credential attainment.
- Washington STEM bill tracker
- Highlights from the Governor’s proposed supplemental budget
Read more about our 2024 legislative priorities.
Coming Soon:
Advocacy Coalition
The Washington STEM Advocacy Coalition exists to collect and distribute information focused on statewide education policy and to provide feedback and evidence-based recommendations to the Washington Legislature.
During the legislative session, the Advocacy Coalition:
- Receive weekly email updates and action alerts during the legislative session.
- Be invited to weekly 30 minutes session update calls on Friday at noon during the legislative session.
If you would like to join this advocacy coalition, fill out this sign-up form. Please note that your acceptance to be a part of the Washington STEM Advocacy Coalition will be based on the alignment of your priorities and interests with Washington STEM’s mission and legislative goals.
Regional Impact
Washington STEM partners with 10 regional Networks and Central Puget Sound partners to develop programs and goals specific to local communities. To learn what region serves your local community, check the regional map below.
Read what each regional STEM Network partner is doing to ensure all students have access to the transformational possibilities that STEM skills and education beyond high school can provide.
Apple STEM Network
The Apple STEM Network, serving the North Central region of Washington, is co-directed by the North Central Educational Service District and NCW Tech Alliance. The Network’s business, education, and community partners are working to close credential attainment gaps, especially for rural communities, students of color, and students from low-income families. Learn more about Apple STEM’s programs at their website.
STEM by the Numbers – North Central Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – North Central Region
Capital STEM Alliance and STEMKAMP
The Capital STEM Alliance was established in 2017 to organize school, business, and community organizations interested in enhancing career readiness and STEM learning opportunities in the region consisting of Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston counties.
STEM by the Numbers – Pacific Mountain Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Pacific Mountain Region
Career Connect Northeast
Career Connect Northeast is working to transform and expand STEM education opportunities for all youth in the region. Their goal is to reduce the STEM skills gap and grow Washington’s economy.
STEM by the Numbers – Eastern Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Inland Northwest Region
Career Connect Southwest
Career Connect Southwest (CCSW) consists of three networks across six counties in southwest Washington. CCSW is committed to working with education, business, and community partners to develop a skilled workforce that contribute to a strong economic future in local communities. With support from Lanxess, Career Connect Southwest is providing valuable summer internships to over 40 students across southwest Washington, with a focus on students from rural areas.
STEM by the Numbers – Southwest Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Southwest Region
Central Puget Sound STEM Partners
In King County, Washington STEM brings educators, business leaders, STEM professionals, philanthropists, and community leaders together to support STEM learning from an early age and to open career pathways. Our work in this region is defined by a key group of partners and work areas that focus on Career Pathways and Early Learning.
STEM by the Numbers – King County
STEM by the Numbers – Pierce County
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – King County
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Pierce County Region
Mid-Columbia STEM Network
Based in the Tri-Cities, the Mid-Columbia STEM Network serves the Southeast region of Washington. You’re invited to read the fall edition of the Network’s newsletter, The Connector, to learn more about how the Network is working to drive career-connected learning, equity and opportunity throughout the Mid-Columbia region.
STEM by the Numbers – Southeast Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Southeast Region
Career Connect Northwest
Career Connect Northwest (formerly, Northwest Washington STEM Network) is based at ESD 189 in Anacortes and serves a region that includes Skagit, Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties. It aligns K-12 education, higher education, community, and business partners to support STEM learning and opportunity in the region. Visit the Network website to learn more.
STEM by the Numbers – Northwest Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Northwest Region
Snohomish STEM Network
Do you or someone you know need help to pay for your post-secondary education? Check out these shortform videos crafted by Snohomish STEM Network and partners to learn how the process works. Washington State has one of the most generous financial aid programs in the country, but each year, $50 million in financial aid is left on the table. These videos — created in partnership with College Success Foundation Northwest Coastal, NW Washington STEM Network, and Futures Northwest — aim to help more students access the financial support to make their education dreams come true.
STEM by the Numbers – Snohomish Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Northwest Region
South Central Washington STEM Network
South Central Washington STEM is a region-wide network of cross-sector stakeholders that collaborates to ensure that all of the region’s youth have access to a high-quality STEM education and career connected learning opportunities. Visit them online for more information.
STEM by the Numbers – South Central Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – South Central Region
Tacoma STEAM Network and #TacomaMath
The #TacomaMath initiative highlights mathematics around Tacoma to show that math is for everyone. The newest “Special Edition” video, sponsored by Comcast’s Black Employee Network (BEN), shows how you can apply math at your next haircut with Master Barber Elijah Benn. Watch the video!
STEM by the Numbers – Pierce County
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – Pierce County Region
West Sound STEM Network
West Sound STEM Network’s blog about a recent STEM Café, focused on strategies for teachers to help their students explore post-secondary healthcare career and education options. Read more on their website.
STEM by the Numbers – Olympic Region
State of the Children: Early Care and Education – North Olympic Region
Case Studies: How We Work
These projects are examples of how we work through partnership across the state, providing direct support, and advocating for policy changes that will improve opportunities for all students.
- Early Learning Data Dashboards
- The State of the Children Reports
- High School to Postsecondary Collaborative
- Career Pathways Framework
2023 Legislators of the Year
“These lawmakers distinguished themselves through bipartisan leadership and foresight,” said Washington STEM CEO, Lynne K. Varner. “Their work dramatically improves the landscape for early child care and education, as well as boosts the opportunities and career pathways available to Washington’s high school graduates.”
Rep. Chipalo Street (37th District) supported a funding proviso for the Department of Children, Youth and Families that will support production of new early learning data dashboards.
Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber (7th District) led a bipartisan effort to pass a bill for five regional pilot apprenticeships programs (HB 1013) that will develop collaborative partnerships between local schools, community or technical colleges, labor unions, registered apprenticeships programs and local industry groups. See her acceptance speech.
Sen. Lisa Wellman (41st District) sponsored legislation concerning High School and Beyond Planning (SB 5243) to develop an online platform so students across the state will have equitable access to after-high school planning resources regardless of their zip code. See her acceptance speech.
Washington STEM’s Legislator of the Year Award is presented annually to members of the State Legislature who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership in advancing legislation and policies that promote excellence, innovation, and equity in science, technology, engineering, and math education for all Washington students, especially those furthest from opportunity.
Read more about previous Legislators of the Year.
PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
Read more about our work in the 2023, 2022, and 2021 legislative sessions.