The Credential is EssentialWashington is home to a diverse economy with a broad range of anchor industries. Increasingly, the jobs available in our state are being filled by workers with a postsecondary credential—such as a degree, apprenticeship, or certificate. But, only 40% of Washington’s high school students earn such a credential by age 26.

We’re working to ensure that, by the high school class of 2030, 70% of Washington students will earn the credentials they need for career success.

To meet this goal, Washington must close achievement gaps and match or outperform nation-leading states on high school graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and postsecondary graduation. We must also more effectively reengage students who drop out of the education system. Reaching the 70% goal will be challenging and will require coordinated efforts from all of us. We look forward to close collaboration, to setting annual goals, pursuing improvement, and measuring progress. And most importantly, we look forward to brighter futures for more Washington kids.

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70,000+ Fewer Postsecondary Students Enrolled in Washington Compared to Pre-Pandemic

Path to 70 Update: Why Washingtonians Value Credentials But Aren’t Completing Them

Case Study: The Promise of Automatic Admissions

Case Study: The Promise of Flexible Learning

Case Study: The Benefits of Dual Credit

Postsecondary Enrollment in WA: The Crisis Intensifies

New directory connects students with paid work experiences

Celebrating our future scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians

Strategies for success: Helping first-generation students navigate college

3 key actions to help break down barriers to college

Path to 70% Credential Attainment: Recovery and Reimagining

Restarting Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Case study: Chehalis School District

2020 Update: The Path to 70% Credential Attainment

Completing the FAFSA can be a career-maker for Washington students

Credential is Essential: Student Success Guide

Career programming served fresh in West Valley School District

Chief Education Officer (CEO) Network

How to Earn College Credit in High School – and the Difference it Makes

District Stories: West Valley (Spokane)

Edmonds SD: The Credential is Essential

District Stories: Edmonds School District

Building a Manufacturing Career: Which Credentials Are Essential?

Guided Pathways: Preparing WA Students for Career Jobs

#PlanYourPathWA: Two New Graphics for Students

The Path to 70% Credential Attainment

Explore Career Profiles for Washington Kids

High School & Beyond Plan

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