Education is a catalyst for prosperity, civic engagement, and healthy and vibrant communities.

Recognizing education’s importance, the 2014 Legislature adopted two statewide goals to increase educational attainment, that by 2023:

• All adults in Washington, ages 25-44, will have a high school diploma or equivalent.

• At least 70 percent of Washington adults, ages 25-44, will have a postsecondary credential.

The Roadmap Update report and interactive dashboards on the subsequent pages measure the state’s progress toward improving educational attainment in Washington. 

Executive Summary

Overall, the results are mixed and progress is slow.

• In the four years of the Roadmap timeline, Washington’s attainment levels have grown only slightly.
• Even though postsecondary enrollments are down slightly from 2012, degree and certificate awards have increased five percent.
• There have been significant increases in the number of Hispanic/Latino students who are completing high school, as well as the number who are enrolling in and completing college; however, college completions lag for African American and Native American individuals.
• There are still significant educational opportunity gaps for some racial and ethnic subgroups, for low-income students, and for others, such as foster youth and students with disabilities.

While the overall results do not show enough progress, the goals and strategies of the Roadmap have the potential to catalyze major shifts.

If we are to make significant progress toward meeting our attainment goals, we need to develop and expand innovative strategies. Such efforts foster opportunity, providing Washingtonians with avenues to prosperity.

Exploring the Roadmap Dashboards 

The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) is committed to building a future that provides equitable access to postsecondary education.

Over two dozen data dashboards, in nine topical pages, measure and track progress toward meeting the state’s goals, the challenges we face as a state, and current strategies to increase attainment. 

To view the interactive dashboards, click/select the headers or images below, or use the navigation bar at the top.

With renewed energy and focus on connecting youth and adults to college and career opportunities, and expanding pathways for success, we can build an even more prosperous Washington.