2018 legislative review
AWB hosted an Early Childhood Learning event this year . The state legislative panel , “ Making Early Childhood Learning a Priority ,” featured Rep . Ruth Kagi , D-Seattle ; Sen . Andy Billig , D-Spokane ; Rep . Kristine Reeves , D-Federal Way ; and Rep . Tom Dent , R-Moses Lake .
school districts , with support from OSPI , to adopt policies that promoted the recruitment and use of industry and trade expert volunteers . Incorporating industry expertise with practical experience to help students understand the application of the curriculum they are being taught is extremely important . AWB hopes to see this effort in the 2019 legislative session . early learning
SHB 2367 establishing a child care collaborative task force
Passed / AWB Supported
Investing in early childhood education makes sense for society and from a monetary perspective . The societal value of early childhood learning programs includes children better prepared to enter the K-12 system , ready for work upon completion of post-secondary training , and a healthier individual . Monetary values in an early childhood learning experience are realized through higher salaries , less reliance on social programs , and increased contribution to society through giving and volunteering . The 2018 Legislature provided over $ 6 million for early childhood learning , which included funding to increase home visitations and child care capacity for homeless families , expanded early childhood learning capacity by providing education opportunities for early childhood learning educators , and finally Substitute House Bill 2367 , sponsored by Reps . Kristine Reeves , D-Federal Way ; Vandana Slatter , D-Bellevue ; Steve Tharinger , D-Dungeness ; June Robinson , D-Everett ; Ruth Kagi , D-Seattle ; Laurie Dolan , D-Olympia ; Christine Kilduff , D-University Place ; Mike Chapman , D-Port Angeles ; Beth Doglio , D-Olympia ; Marcus Riccelli , D-Spokane ; and , Monica Stonier , D-Vancouver , developed the child care collaborative task force , an effort to engage the business community in early childhood learning . At its Early Childhood Learning Summit in April , AWB was encouraged with the amount of support for this issue area and looks forward to supporting efforts to work with this key sector in our state ’ s education system . post-secondary education supplemental budget
AWB supported the following funding efforts for the state ’ s post-secondary education programs .
There will be 740,000 job openings in the state of Washington in the next 5 years . The majority of these jobs require post-secondary education or training . While Washington state ’ s high school graduation rate is increasing ( 79.1 percent ), only 31 percent of Washington state ’ s high school graduates earn a postsecondary credential . This underscores the need to open access to postsecondary opportunities in our state .
Access to the post-secondary system received support through additional
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