We advocate for transformative policy solutions.
We advocate for transformative policy solutions.
We work with communities across the state to craft our state agenda, ensuring that state investments and policies drive the best outcomes for Washington’s students and economy.
With the support our regional partners, we develop a policy agenda focused on creating opportunity for students of color, students living in low-income conditions, students living in rural areas, and girls.
Sign up for our Advocacy Coalition for all the latest updates during the 2025 legislative session.
Session Resources
- Session highlights: PowerPoint and video presentation (May 30th, 2025)
Our many thanks to partners from OSPI, WSAC, and ERDC for joining us. - 2025 End of Session Bill Tracker
SESSION OUTCOMES
Early Care and Education
Priority: Maintain the promise of the Fair Start for Kids Act; increase capacity for child care by providing additional funding to the Early Learning Facilities Fund.
Outcomes: Delays to the implementation of the Fair Start for Kids Act and a $100 million investment in the Early Learning Facilities Fund. Notable legislation includes:
- Modifying child care and early childhood development programs (SB 5752)
- Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) entitlement delayed from 2026-27 to 2030-31
- Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) expansion delayed
- WCCC co-pay increases
- Increases market rate reports to a biennial cadence
Preschool-12 STEM
Priority: Advance a shared vision and coordinated model across the P20 education system to support Washington students graduating STEM-literate and prepared for future careers by addressing persistent barriers in career and technical education (CTE) dual credit.
Outcomes: Support for CTE, including the continuation of a successful CTE dual credit program in the northwest region, as well as investments in the teaching workforce, special education, and school resources. Across the K-12 space, many devastating reductions and elimination of funding through grant funding as well as reductions to educational service districts and school districts.
Notable legislation includes:
- Improving student access to dual credit programs (HB 1273)
- Concerning restrictions on the working conditions and hours of sixteen- and seventeen-year olds (HB 1121)
- Improving access to career opportunities for students (HB 1414)
- Concerning career and technical education in sixth grade (SB 5358)
- Concerning teacher residency and apprenticeship programs (HB 1651)
- Supporting the implementation of competency-based education (SB 5189)
- Concerning special education funding (SB 5263)
- Concerning school district materials, supplies, and operating costs (SB 5192)
Pathways to Credentials and Careers
Priority: Maintain funding to the statewide education and employer network, Career Connect Washington, to build and sustain access to equitable career connected learning programs that increase postsecondary enrollment and boost credential attainment.
Outcomes: Significant reductions were made to Career Connect Washington. While $4.684 million was retained for Career Connected Learning grant funding (RCW 28C.30.050), funding was eliminated for secondary education, community and technical colleges, and universities. Additionally, $20 million in Capital funding was allocated for Career Launch. Deep cuts and reductions across the high school to postsecondary space including 1.5% reduction to four-year institutions and elimination or reductions in programming and grant funding.
Data
Priority: Support modernization of P20W data systems to develop enhanced data resources, tools, and services that inform legislative decision-making, state agencies, education providers, and community organizations serving students.
Outcomes: Funding provided in the Operating Budget for FTE to ERDC.
Session in photos
Resources
Governor Ferguson Partial Veto Letters:
Agency & Partner Budget Resources:
DCYF end-of-session presentation: webinar recording and slides (May 14th, 2025)
WSAC Council Meeting: TVW recording and agenda (May 20th, 2025)
OSPI-WSAC Webinar series: End of Session Summary and Session District Impacts (May 7th, 2025)
OSPI-EOGOAC: 2025 LEG Session update slides (May 20th, 2025)
League of Education Voters: 2025 session recap webinar recording and 2025-27 budget summary
PAST LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS
Read more about our work in the 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 legislative sessions.