Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Releases Video Detailing Her Proposal to Award AP Credits for Shop Classes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03)released a video recorded in Onalaska High School’s shop class that outlined her amendment to make AP credits available to students for career and technical education classes they take in high school.

Currently no such credits are available. This can force mechanically-inclined students to decide between taking classes they’re good at and interested in, or classes that make their college applications more competitive.

“While I was able to take AP level photography and sculpture in school, there’s no equivalent available for welding or wood shop. If you’re trying to go into a college program, all these kids can’t afford to take shop class and have a competitive application,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez in the video.

“These are as valuable and as challenging as every other academic program you can go into,” she continued. “So, we’re excited to see this roll out.”

Click HERE to watch video.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s proposal was included as part of the manager’s amendment (see page 9) to the FY2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which passed through committee on a bipartisan basis. 

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