CTE Dual Credit

CTE Dual Credit Expansion Proviso

In partnership with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Career Connect NW hosted at the NWESD 189 is leading a regional effort to expand access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) dual credit for high school students.

What is CTE Dual Credit?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit allows high school students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time for completing approved CTE courses. These courses are aligned with programs offered at Washington’s community and technical colleges and are designed to give students a jump-start on career pathways in fields like healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, agriculture, business, and more.

Funded through 2SHB 1273, this proviso aims to make it easier for students to earn college credit in high school by improving how CTE courses are aligned, articulated, and transcribed across K–12 and community college systems.

For detailed information, updates, and progress on this work, check out the CTE Dual Credit Legislative Reports:

• 2025 CTE Dual Credit Legislative Report

• 2024 CTE Dual Credit Legislative Report

Why It Matters

CTE Dual Credit is important because it:

• Saves students time and money by reducing the number of college courses they need to take after high school.
• Increases access to postsecondary education, especially for students who may not see college as an option.
• Builds momentum toward careers, helping students earn certificates or degrees faster.
• Strengthens high school-to-college connections, aligning coursework and expectations between systems.
• Supports workforce development by helping students enter high-demand career fields with recognized skills and credentials.

By making college credit more accessible in high school, CTE Dual Credit helps students stay engaged, on track, and better prepared for both college and career.

What We’re Working On

Over the course of this proviso, partners will work together to:

• Expand Access to high-quality, articulated CTE dual credit across the region.
• Align Courses between high schools and colleges to ensure students earn meaningful credit.
• Create a Regional CTE Dual Credit Database so educators, students, and their families can easily see available CTE dual credit opportunities offered in the region.
• Develop Advising Supports  through tools, family events, and professional development.
• Improve Systems for data sharing, credit transcription, and communication.

2025-2026 CTE Dual Credit Proviso Partners 

• Bellingham Technical College (BTC) | Everett Community College (EvCC) | Skagit Valley College (SVC) | Whatcom Community College (WCC)
• Regional high schools and districts, industry and workforce partners

Together, we’re building a more equitable and transparent system to help more students graduate high school with a head start on college and career.

Regional CTE Dual Credit Database

One outcome from the CTE Dual Credit Proviso is the creation of the Regional CTE Dual Credit Database, launched in July 2026.  The database is a shared platform that lists high school courses available for articulation with postsecondary institutions in the region. This technical tool serves as a centralized resource for educators, administrators, advisors, teachers, counselors, students, and their families. Learn more and access the Regional CTE Dual Credit Database.

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