Applications for the 2023-24 PA Education Policy Fellowship Program are now available!

EPLC’s Education Policy Fellowship Program

  • Pennsylvania’s Premier Education Policy Leadership Program
  • For Education, Policy, Community, and Advocacy Leaders
  • 700+ graduates: 1999 to 2023
  • 2023-2024 Fellowship Program Begins in September
  • Tuition is $2149 for this year-long program
  • Act 45 credit available through Shippensburg University ($250 fee)
  • Visit Here to Register!

 Education Policy Fellows:

  • develop a broadened understanding of the public policy process and the various aspects of education policy;
  • enhance their communication, decision making, and public policy advocacy skills;
  • strengthen their capacity for leadership; and
  • expand their network of professional colleagues.

 

Pennsylvania Education Policy Fellowship Program

2023-2024
Calendar and Agenda

DATE SESSION TOPICS
Session 1

Friday, September 15
9:00
a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 Introductions and Setting the Stage for Fellowship Program

  • Introductions to Program and Fellows
  • K-12 Governance: Intersection of Local-State-Federal Education Policy
  • Politics, Elections and Public Policy in Pennsylvania
  • Overview of Key Education Policy Issues
Session 2

Friday, September 29
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 Making State Education Policy in Pennsylvania

  • “State of the Child” in Pennsylvania
  • Role of State Board of Education and IRRC
  • Role of School Directors and School Boards
Regional Leadership Forum – Part 1

Thursday, October 5
10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.(Joint activity with Fellows from MI, NY and OH)

 Lessons in Leadership on the Gettysburg Battlefield led by Licensed Battlefield
Guides

  • Guided Tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield with Focus on Strategic Decisions that Directed the Actions of Union and Confederate Armies
  • Visit to Gettysburg Battlefield Visitors Center and Museum
  • Travel to Carlisle, Networking Reception, and PA Evening
    Gathering
Regional Leadership Forum – Part 2

Friday, October 6
8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

(Activity with other states)

 Lessons in Strategic Leadership from U.S. Army War College Faculty

  • Leadership Lessons Learned from Gettysburg
  • Institutional Leadership and Managing Change
  • Developing Strategic Leaders
Session 3

Friday, October 13
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 The Education Policy-Making Environment

  • Introduction to Policy Project and Identification of Project Teams
  • Policy Players, Media, and the Process
  • Role of Research in Education Policy
Session 4

Friday, October 27
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Leadership and Ethics

  • Characteristics of Ethical Leadership
  • Leadership for Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity
  • PA Ethics Commission and Public Officials Ethics Law
  • Professional Standards and Practices Commission
Session 5

Friday, November 3
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 A Changing Education Environment

  • The Many Voices of “School Reform”
  • Meeting the Needs of Increasingly Diverse and Mobile Students
  • Trauma Informed Education – Implications for Policymakers & Educators
Session 6

Friday, November 17
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Conversations with School Leaders

  • State Policymakers
  • Teachers-of-the-Year
  • Superintendents, Principals, and Board Leaders
Session 7

Friday, December 1
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Ready for Success in College, Career and Citizenship

  • Assuring Access to Affordable and Quality Early Childhood Programs
  • Ready for Success – 21st Century Skills, Counseling and 339 Plans
  • Nurturing an Educated Citizenry and Educated Workforce
Session 8

Friday, December 15
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 STEM and Workforce Development Issues

  • Projecting Pennsylvania’s Workforce Needs
  • STEM and Career and Technical Education 
Session 9

Friday, January 5
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 School Choices, Technology & Remote Learning

  • Vouchers, Charters, Home School, and Public School Choices
  • Challenges for Pennsylvania’s Rural Districts
Session 10

Friday, January 19
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Recruiting, Preparing and Retaining Teachers

  • A Teacher Shortage – Developing a Teacher Pipeline
  • Supporting and Retaining New Teachers
  • Severe Shortage of Minority Teachers
  • Implications for Educator Preparation Programs
Session 11

Friday, February 2
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Postsecondary Education

  • Governance and Funding of Higher Education in Pennsylvania
  • Postsecondary Access, Affordability, and Quality
  • Higher Education Accountability and Accreditation
Session 12

Friday, February 16
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Community Schools, School and Community Partnerships

  • School and Community Partnerships to Support Students
  • School Partnerships with Art and Cultural Organizations
Session 13

Friday, March 1
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Promoting Civic Dialogue & Civil Discourse

  • Civic Dialogue/Civil Discourse Principles and Applications
  • Turning Difficult Conversations into Learning Opportunities
  • Understanding and Addressing Peoples’ Core Concerns
Session 14

Friday, March 15
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Building Partnerships and Public Advocacy

  • Collaboration and Building Coalitions
  • Effective Advocacy – Making an Impact with Public Officials
Session 15

Friday, April 5
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Pennsylvania Budget and Fiscal Issues

  • PA State Budget and Revenues
  • State Fiscal Forecast, Priorities, and Revenue Options
Day-in-Washington DC

Tuesday-Wednesday
April 16-17
6:00 p.m. on 4/25 to   4:00 p.m. on 4/26

 Pennsylvania EPFP in Washington DC

  • Tuesday Evening Dinner with Guest Speaker
  • Wednesday Breakfast, Policy Briefings, and Lunch
  • Hill Visits Planned and Conducted by Fellows & PA Alumni
  • Optional Capitol Tour
Session 16

Friday, April 26
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 P-12 Education Finance Issues

  • History and Fundamentals of P-12 Finance in PA
  • Governor’s Proposed 2024-2025 State Education Budget
  • District Budget Process and Challenges for School District Officials
Session 17

Friday, May 3
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Team Policy Project Presentations – Contributing to the
Education Policy Agenda
Session 18

Friday, May 10
9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

 Team Policy Project Presentations – Contributing to the
Education Policy Agenda
Day-in-the-Capitol in Harrisburg

Wednesday, May 22
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

 Day at the State Capitol

  • Morning Briefings by Key Education Policy Staff
  • PDE Programs and Services for Students, Educators, and Districts
  • Visits to Policymaker Offices – Present Project Briefings
  • Optional Tour of State Capitol
Graduation Luncheon

Wednesday, June 5
Noon to 2:30 p.m.

(Harrisburg-area location TBD)

 Graduation and Recognition of Fellows, Sponsors and 2022-2023
Guest Speakers

  • Graduation & Recognition
  • Presentation of Alumni Awards

As opportunities arise, one or more virtual sessions with special guests and/or other state sites may also be scheduled.

Fellowship Program coordinators are:

Amy Morton – Executive Director of The Education Policy and Leadership Center; System Design Specialist, National Center on Education and the Economy.  Former classroom teacher, intermediate unit executive director; and Executive Deputy Secretary of PA Department of Education  

Ron Cowell – Senior Fellow and Founder of EPLC;
Former Member of PA House of Representatives, Chair of House Education Committee, and Member of PA State Board of Education

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