System News | Opinion
Here’s why Bellingham Technical College is seeing enrollment growth
More students are seeking skills-focused education in Whatcom County as Bellingham Technical College reports enrollment growth for the second year in a row. BTC welcomed 2,686 students
in fall 2024, up from 2,370 in fall 2023 and 2,256 in fall 2022.
Cascadia Daily News, Feb. 10, 2025
Skagit Valley College launching bachelor's program in early childhood education
Skagit Valley College will add a sixth bachelor’s degree program — a bachelor’s of applied science in early
childhood education — in the fall. The program will qualify graduates to teach preschool
through third grade through a state teaching certification and an early childhood
education endorsement.
Skagit Valley Herald, Feb. 10, 2025
Higher Education and Politics
Kennewick senator proposes tuition relief for older high school graduates
A new bill proposed by Kennewick Senator Matt Boehnke strives to alleviate financial
burdens and encourage more students to complete their education. Senate Bill 5542
would amend existing Washington state law to expand tuition waivers at community and
technical colleges by removing the age restriction of nineteen for high school completion
programs.
NBC Right Now, Feb. 11, 2025
ED reverts Perkins CTE reporting requirements
The U.S. Education Department (ED) on Monday announced it is nixing recently revised
data collection requirements for Perkins V programs. ED called the Biden administration
requirements “a misguided regulatory reporting scheme” that would require states and
the local career and technical education (CTE) programs to comply with burdensome
and unnecessary reporting.
Community College Daily, Feb. 10, 2025
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces policy aimed at tuition transparency
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, on Thursday, Feb. 6, announced she
has introduced a bill aimed at laying bare the true costs of college tuition. The
Truth in Tuition Act would require any university that participates in federal student
aid programs to provide a non-binding projection of tuition and fee costs for upcoming
years.
Centralia Chronicle, Feb. 7, 2025
