HB2236 — The chair says OSPI will report on work groups convened under this bill.
HB1167 — The chair says OSPI will report on work groups convened under this bill.
Dr. Sam Riggs — The chair introduces Dr. Sam Riggs as a special guest from Ed Northwest.
Dr. Sam Riggs — Invited to present a report or study completed for OSPI.
Skyler Rude — The chair asks the Ranking Member whether he would like to make introductions, then follows up by thanking Representative Rude and correcting the earlier introduction.
Rebecca Wallace — The chair invites Rebecca Wallace, Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education and Pathway Preparation, to come forward, and she immediately introduces herself as Becky Wallace with OSPI and thanks the committee.
Sharon Tomiko Santos — The Chair prefers that questions be held until the end.
Sharon Tomiko Santos — Addressed as the Chair while the committee transitioned to questions.
Sharon Tomiko Santos — Addressed as Chair Santos.
Clyde Shavers — Rebecca Wallace says Representative Shavers was the prime sponsor of the originating legislation.
Matt Marshall — Representative Matt Marshall, identified as the host of the committee's interim site visit, asked how many students annually take the Nursing Assistant Certified exam, referencing the program's investment and pass rate.
Matt Marshall — His district is cited as an example of what is happening in smaller rural school districts.
Rebecca — The chair thanks Rebecca for her presentation, indicating she was the prior presenter.
Tori Garing — Tori Garing, program manager for Core Plus Maritime and the Manufacturing Industrial Council of Seattle, is introduced and asked to lead off the presentation. She confirms she will do so and begins presenting the stakeholder recommendations report.
Lou Kelleher — Lou Kelleher is introduced as the Executive Director of the Washington Industrial Technical Education Association and noted as being involved with Core Plus since 2009. He then introduces himself, explaining that he volunteers to oversee more than 300 shop teachers in Washington and speaks positively about Core Plus and career and technical education pathways.
Jeff Wynne — Jeff Wynne is introduced as a marine technology teacher at South Kitsap High School, noted to be present in person, and further described as a nationally recognized, award-winning instructor who will conclude the presentation.
Alan Davis — Introduced as Director of Safety and Compliance at American Seafoods.
Alan Davis — Alan Davis was redirected to the microphone after audio issues, then testified as a certified safety professional in the commercial fishing industry representing Washington-based fishing companies. He described the industry’s scale, including thousands of direct jobs and substantial revenue and labor income, and emphasized workforce challenges such as an aging labor pool. He strongly supported Core Plus Maritime as a hands-on pathway for students into skilled maritime and fishing-related trades, urging the committee to expand and strengthen Core Plus programs and inviting questions.
Jay Jennings — Introduced as Director of Public Policy at Northwest Marine Trade Association.
Jay Jennings — Introduced himself as Vice President and Government Affairs for the Northwest Marine Trade Association and expressed strong support for Core Plus Marine Maritime.
Walter Stokeman — Introduced as Director of Ship Repair at Vigor Marine Group.
Walter Stokeman — Identified as Director of Production and Ship Repair at Vigor Marine Group; his prepared comment is read aloud by another speaker.
Washington Industrial Technical Education Association (WITEA) — Described as a professional development organization for shop teachers in Washington State.
Core Plus Maritime presenter — Described the lead trainer as a torpedo technician and explained how the ROV analogy engages students. Also noted that 26 teachers were trained last year, including eight middle school instructors.
HB2236 — Cited as legislative recognition that the Core Plus model can be applied beyond manufacturing and construction.
Mr. Stokeman — The speaker had audio trouble identifying and hearing Mr. Stokeman.
Mr. Stokeman — Thanked for his patience during the presentation.
Mr. Winn / Mr. Winton — Mr. Winn/Winton described his background as a South Kitsap High School teacher in woodshop construction and boat building/marine technology, noting that he previously worked as a union carpenter and inherited the boat-building program. He explained that Core Plus Maritime provides students with a clear, practical pathway into post-high school careers and called it a game changer for helping students envision their futures. He connected the program to the local maritime economy around Sinclair Inlet and Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, contrasted maritime opportunities with shortages in land-based trades, and gave examples of students pursuing careers such as fishing in Alaska, saving to buy boats, and aiming to become pilots. He also mentioned trying to build partnerships with teachers in Alaska, including a friend teaching in Wrangell, to expand opportunities for students.
Mr. Davis — The chair noted Mr. Davis had his hand up and invited a brief addition.
Mr. Davis — Thanked for speaking and for the presentation.
Vigor Marine Group — Vigor Marine Group is introduced as a major marine maintenance and modernization company with operations stretching from Seattle to Norfolk and more than 2,500 family-wage employees, including welders, engineers, and cybersecurity experts. The witness then explains that support for the programs under discussion is critical to Vigor’s business in Puget Sound and to sustaining over 550 family-wage jobs.
Steve Bergquist — Referenced as 'Representative Berg' in connection with a prior bill focused on water safety requirements.
Sam Riggs — Introduces self as being with Education Northwest and presenting a study with OSPI and ERDC.
Dr. Riggs — The chair thanked Dr. Riggs after the presentation concluded.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs was asked to respond to a question about the presentation.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs was asked to explain the graph showing pathway offerings during COVID years.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs explained that the measure reflects pathway provision, not student participation counts.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs clarified that a pathway is counted only if at least one student enrolled in it during the year.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs explained that the graph shows whether a course was on the books and counted only if at least one student enrolled.
Dr. Riggs — Dr. Riggs acknowledged that student voice is missing from the work and said it is important.
Dr. Riggs — Thanked at the close of the discussion as the committee adjourned.
Joel McEntire — Representative Joel McEntire was introduced as the first questioner and then asked Dr. Riggs to revisit the initial finding, pressing for an explanation of why the number of programs or pathways did not show a larger decline during the COVID years.
Monica Jurado Stonier — Representative Stonier engaged in a brief, continuous exchange about CTE data and student voice, asking whether there is information on why students choose particular CTE courses and whether data on student motivation would be helpful. The discussion later shifted to a light acknowledgment that a prior remark was not phrased as a question, with thanks to Stonier for modeling that distinction.
Rob Chase — Representative Chase asked Dr. Riggs whether it would be advantageous to allow students to leave school earlier so they could join the workforce sooner, and the question was later referenced and slightly reframed in the ongoing discussion.
Lisa Callan — Representative Lisa Callan is introduced as the next questioner and then asks Dr. Riggs whether the study examined any correlations in outcomes, specifically regarding delivery setting and the method used to attain credits.