In Washington, early learning professionals who want to further their education have a clear path to follow: Colleges across the state offer common courses, course titles, course numbers, course descriptions and student outcomes. All courses are aligned with the Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals. They also allow students to earn "stackable" certificates: The courses that students are required to take will build on one another in a sequential manner and deepen levels of applied learning along the way. (author abstract)