The Washington Council Mission:

The Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) is a 10-member citizen board that administers the state's student financial aid programs and provides strategic planning, coordination, monitoring, and policy analysis for higher education in Washington.

Washington's Community and Technical College Act of 1991 provides for a state system of community and technical colleges separate from both the public secondary schools and four-year institutions. The act requires that the colleges "offer an open door to every citizen, regardless of his or her academic background or experiences, at a cost normally within his or her economic means" (RCW 28B.50.020(1)).

Independent Colleges of Washington (ICW) is the association of the 10 private, liberal arts, nonprofit colleges in the state. ICW's member institutions share a commitment to high-quality, academically rigorous learning and to an education that emphasizes critical thinking, lifelong learning, ethics, leadership, and community service.

The Washington State Board of Education is working hard to improve student achievement and ensure that all students receive a high quality education that prepares them for the demands of the workplace, postsecondary education and citizenship. The Board is an advocate for all students, educators, schools and districts across our state. The Board is committed to creating policies and finding the tools and resources to help every school and every district improve student achievement. Working together, we can help all students succeed.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is the primary agency charged with overseeing K-12 education in Washington state. OSPI works with the state

The Council of Presidents (COP) is a voluntary association of the presidents of Washington State's six public baccalaureate degree granting institutions, established by a duly executed Interlocal Cooperation Agreement. This association provides a forum for the presidents and senior administrators of the six public baccalaureate degree granting institutions to convene, share views, debate issues of common interest, and where possible, achieve consensus on issues affecting higher education. The Council of Presidents fosters coordination and collaboration among the public baccalaureate institutions as well as with other partners in the broad education community.