WA-ACTE 2026 Summer Conference

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9:00am PDT

Beyond Points: Implementing Competency-Based Grading and Employability Skills Across Career Pathways

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT

How do we ensure grades in Career and Technical Education truly reflect skill mastery, workplace readiness, and student growth? This session highlights how Sno-Isle TECH Skills Center and New Market Skills Center are transitioning from traditional grading to competency-based grading (CBG) systems designed to improve clarity, consistency, and equity across programs. Partnering with SREB, both centers defined shared employability skills, performance levels, and descriptors applicable across pathways while preserving flexibility for program-specific competencies. Through teacher leadership teams and full-staff collaboration, each center developed its own employability rubric, building shared ownership, stronger expectations, and alignment with industry standards. Participants will engage in an interactive learning experience that includes analyzing sample rubrics, participating in calibration conversations, and applying guiding questions to their own schools or districts. Attendees will leave with practical tools, implementation strategies, and a professional learning framework to support the transition to competency-based grading in their own CTE programs.

Speakers

Danielle Morton

CTE Leadership Coach, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Danielle Morton, with over 30 years in education, is a champion for CTE and empowering school improvement. Danielle serves as a School Improvement Leadership Coach at the Southern Regional Education Board, guiding schools towards excellence. But her heart beats loudest for Career... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

WACTA

10:00am PDT

Worksite Learning Intro and Updates

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT

Birch Ballroom

This session is targeted for the new and experienced Worksite Learning Coordinators and provides an overview of the Worksite Learning program, including key roles and responsibilities, with an update on the L&I child labor rule changes effective July 1^st. There will be time reserved at the end for questions and discussion.

Speakers

Kari Morgan

Associate Director of CTE

Kari Morgan is the Associate Director of Career Technical Education and has been in K-12 education for over 14 years. Kari has served as a skills center registrar, a CTE Business and Marketing teacher, and a district CTE Director. Prior to her career in education, she worked in the... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 10:00am - 10:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

Multiple Sections

11:00am PDT

Understanding Federal Child Labor Student Learner Laws and Requirements

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT

Birch Ballroom

This training provides an overview of the essential requirements outlined in federal labor laws as they pertain to student learner programs. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the legal framework governing these programs, including specific guidelines on permitted and prohibited practices.

Speakers

Marilyn Delgado

Investigator, US Department of Labor - Wage & Hour Division

Marilyn Delgado has been with U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division since 2013. She began in the Seattle District office and is now in North Idaho with the Boise Field Office of the Portland District Office. Marilyn has experience investigating cases in a multitude of Acts... Read More →

Tuesday August 4, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am PDT
Birch Ballroom

WA-CCER

12:00pm PDT

Summer WE-BAM Members Meeting

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Educators of Business and Marketing! Join us for a Luncheon meeting to talk about the 2025-26 year and plan for the 2026-27 school year. New officer positions available!

Speakers

Emily Wray

Operations Director WE-BAM, WE-BAM

Tuesday August 4, 2026 12:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Birch Ballroom

WE-BAM

2:00pm PDT

Beyond the Classroom: The Power of the Simulated Workplace Model

Tuesday August 4, 2026 2:00pm - 2:45pm PDT

Birch Ballroom

Bring your classroom to life through the Simulated Workplace Model. In this engaging session, learn how CTE programs are transforming instruction by embedding authentic workplace expectations, student leadership, and industry-aligned practices into everyday learning. Participants will explore practical implementation strategies, hear real classroom examples, and leave with tools to strengthen student engagement, expand equitable access to work-based learning experiences, and improve career readiness outcomes across programs.

Speakers

Dr. Linda Floyd

Director of State and District Partnerships/Technology Centers That Work, Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

Dr. Linda Floyd has many years of experience with continuous school improvement. She has been a director with SREB since 2017. Prior to joining SREB, Dr. Floyd worked for the Kentucky Department of Education, providing leadership and supervision of principals for 27 state-operated... Read More →