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.

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SESSION PRIORITIES

Early Care and Education

In Washington, over 70% of children and families lack access to high-quality early care and education (ECE), with significant barriers for dual language learners, BIPOC communities, children with disabilities, and families working non-traditional hours. Our current systems lack detailed, population-specific data on ECE supply and demand, making it difficult for decision-makers to address the needs of all families, especially those facing barriers to access. These gaps in access hinder children’s early development, limit their opportunities in STEM fields, and impact families’ economic mobility and employers’ success.

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.

Preschool-12 STEM

The lack of coordinated action across different layers of the education system undermines the development of STEM literacy for students, particularly those from historically and currently marginalized communities. Without alignment, students are not adequately prepared for STEM careers, which are critical for future economic growth.

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.

Pathways to Credentials and Careers

Over 70% of high-paying jobs in Washington State require STEM skills, yet many students—especially young women, BIPOC, rural, and gender-diverse youth—lack access to clear, equitable pathways to these opportunities. Disparities in access to quality postsecondary transitions, incomplete pathways, and lack of support for students in the transition from high school to college or careers perpetuate these inequities.

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.

Data

For generations, data has often been collected and used to harm marginalized communities. Washington STEM believes that sourcing and using data should be humanizing and adhere to the tenets of data justice. We provide direct support through targeted community engagement, open source access to data and measurement tools, and technical assistance.

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.

Session in photos

2024 Legislators of the Year

Senator T’wina Nobles, 28th District

Representative Alex Ybarra, 13th District

“Washington students need robust career readiness supports, from apprenticeship programs to financial aid guidance, to follow their aspirations and join the workforce,” said Lynne K. Varner. “Senator Nobles and Representative Ybarra are strengthening our state’s career pathways, especially for those furthest from opportunity—rural students, students of color, young women, and students experiencing poverty.”
Senator T’wina Nobles (28th District) is chair of the Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee, majority whip in the caucus, and vice-chair of the Senate Early Learning and K12 committee. She worked closely with her colleagues in the senate, the Foundation for Tacoma Students, and the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, as sponsor of a bill to expand a Financial Aid Outreach pilot project to increase financial aid access. The pilot project was successfully expanded to an additional region with the aim of statewide adoption in the future.

Representative Alex Ybarra (13th District) has been a champion for career-connected learning in the North Central region and across the state. As the ranking member of the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Development Committee, Representative Ybarra has secured resources that are critical to building education and career pathways for students.

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 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2021 legislative sessions.

Read our 2024 legislative session recap.