WSAC receives $1 million grant to study gaps in educational attainment in Washington
August 6, 2026
OLYMPIA—The Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Center for Education Research (NCER). This funding will support a research project examining the relative benefits of postsecondary education for students from traditionally underserved groups in Washington. WSAC will work with Westat, a professional services organization. The project will use data provided by the Washington Education Research & Data Center (ERDC).
The project studies patterns of educational attainment and outcomes among Washingtonians to identify areas and policies that may improve the postsecondary access and success of all residents. The analyses will identify disparities in educational attainment and in the economic returns to postsecondary education, since these are both correlated with other disparities such as lower-paying jobs, poorer health outcomes and greater dependence on social services. In addition, the work will assess the alignment of fields of study with projected occupational and industry needs, both statewide and across Washington counties. These findings will help identify policy solutions that could increase the proportion of the population with a postsecondary education credential and boost enrollment in programs with high economic returns to students, industry and the state.
“A postsecondary credential is one of the most reliable pathways to economic opportunity, better health and long-term stability. However, that pathway isn't equally accessible to everyone in our state. This project will give us a clearer picture of where gaps in educational attainment and economic returns exist, and why,” said Isaac Kwakye, deputy executive director of WSAC. “By connecting what students study with the future of Washington's economy, both statewide and in each county, we can pursue policies that help more residents earn credentials to improve their economic status. These credentials benefit students, employers and our communities. This research moves us closer to a Washington where every resident has a real chance to succeed beyond high school.”
This new award helps WSAC provide better support for students in postsecondary education. It also shows Washington’s commitment to using data to improve policy. The award will lead to a public data dashboard on the historical outcomes of different pathways. The dashboard will be a useful tool for students, institutional staff and state legislators in making informed decisions.
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