Washington STEM: Advocacy Season 2021
This year, we are supporting proposals, bills, and initiatives that strengthen and create educational opportunities for historically underserved students in our state, investments that are sorely needed in Washington’s early learning systems, and increasing access to the critical technology that every student needs to support their education.
SKIP TO: Legislative Priorities Early Learning Resources Advocacy Coalition Regional Impact Reports Legislator of the Year
WASHINGTON STEM POLICY PRIORITIES FOR THE 2021 LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
- Early Learning: Comprehensive early learning and child care reform with high quality, accessible and affordable options for families.
- Career Pathways: Maintenance of funding for Workforce Investment Education Account which funds student aid & career connected learning.
- Statewide Office of Equity
- Broadband Expansion & Digital Equity
- Equitable Access to Dual Credit Programs
- For a printable version of our 2021 legislative agenda, please click here.
- For a description of how we review bills and decide which ones to support, check our Washington STEM Legislative Priorities Evaluation Framework.
Early Learning Resources
Washington STEM and Washington Communities for Family and Children (WCFC) are developing a series of reports titled State of the Children: Early Learning & Care. The reports shine a light on the precarious position of Washington’s early learning systems. In these reports, you’ll find data and stories that touch on the economic impacts of childcare on Washington families, the state of the early learning workforce in Washington, data on affordability, access, and quality, the impacts of COVID-19 on our early systems, and more. Additional regional reports will be released soon, so check back for updates.
Regional Reports:
- Southwest Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Spokane and Inland Northwest Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Pierce County, WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Olympia, Grays Harbor, and Pacific Mountain Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Northwest Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Kitsap, Jefferson, and Clallam and North Olympic Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- North Central Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- South Central Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- Southeast Region WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
- King County, WA – State of the Children: Early Learning and Care
For more information on sources and citations for this report series, please refer to our sources PDF.
Voices from the Community:
Washington STEM, Washington Communities for Children, and Child Care Aware combined our voices to shine a light on the dire straits our child care and early learning systems are in. Across the state, families, communities, and businesses are grappling with these challenges.
Read the related articles:
- In a recent issue of the Spokesman Review, we call out the challenges ahead, and what we can do about it. Read the article here.
- A recently published article in the Bainbridge Island Review highlights some of the child care and early learning challenges in the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas region. Read the article here.
The Washington STEM 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.
Members of this advocacy coalition will:
- Receive weekly email updates and action alerts during the 2021 legislative session.
- Be invited to weekly 30 minutes session update calls on Friday at 12:30pm during the 2021 legislative session.
Join the STEM Advocacy Coalition
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 Network Impact Reports
Washington STEM partners with 10 regional Networks to develop programs and goals specific to local communities. Learn more about the impact of our STEM Networks, partnerships, and initiatives in these regional reports:
2020 Legislator of the Year Awards
Washington STEM is pleased to announce that, after a statewide nomination process, Senator Emily Randall (LD 26) and Senator Steve Conway (LD 27) have been awarded the 2020 Legislator of Year awards.
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.
Learn more at the Legislator of the Year announcement.