The WACTA Legislative Committee has been collaborating weekly with WA-ACTE and other sections to ensure alignment on a unified message to legislators as they prepare for the upcoming session. Our advocacy efforts remain focused on three key areas, which you can explore in detail on the WA-ACTE website.

Washington ACTE Legislative/Policy Goals for 2025 Draft:

1. Expand Approved CTE Programs and Funding

   • Include 6th grade in approved CTE programs and funding.

   • Broaden middle school CTE beyond STEM.

   • Allow CTE expenditures to be apportioned across middle and high school, rather than earmarked by grade band.

2. Adjust Temporary Leave Replacement Funding

   • Extend the grace period for CTE temporary leave replacements to claim enhanced funding from the current 20 business days to 45 business days.

3. Restore Class Size Ratios for CTE Apportionment

   • Return the 6th–12th grade CTE class size ratio for apportionment to 19.5:1, reduced from the current 23:1.

The Legislative Committee is pleased to report that Chris Reykdal has expressed support for priority 1a, advocating for this issue and sending a letter of support to Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who is working on related legislation.

Additionally, the committee will continue gathering input and data regarding the use of CTE funds for direct charges for ancillary positions. We are committed to ensuring districts that do not allocate ancillary positions directly to CTE are not adversely impacted. Should the data reveal a need, we are prepared to elevate this as a legislative priority to support the majority of the districts we serve.

For further information or clarity please contact Tim Knue, Executive Director for Washington Association for Career and Technical Education: Tim Knue at tim@wa-acte.org or 360-202-5297 (cell) or Jesse Taylor, Coordinator of Strategic Advocacy: jesse@wa-acte.org or 253-208-9071 (cell)