EPLC’s Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum receives support from:
Benedum Foundation
The Grable Foundation
The Heinz Endowments
OnHand Schools
Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical Administrators
Pennsylvania Association of Pupil Services Administrators
Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators
Pennsylvania Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
Pennsylvania School Boards Association
Pennsylvania Education Policy Forum
Past Speakers: 2016
June 23 – Pittsburgh Area
Subject: EPLC’s 2016 Report – High School Career and Technical Education: Serving Pennsylvania’s Workforce and Student Needs
Speakers: Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. Lee Burket, Director, Bureau of Career & Technical Education, PA Department of Education
Jackie Cullen, Executive Director, PA Association of Career & Technical Administrators
Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent, Norwin School District
Laura Fisher, Senior Vice President – Workforce & Special Projects, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
James Denova, Vice President, Benedum Foundation
February 11 – Harrisburg
Subject: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2016-2017
Speakers: Beth Olanoff, Director of Policy, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PowerPoint PDF)
Marc Stier, Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (Policy Brief PDF)
Dr. Brian Barnhart, Executive Director, Lancaster-Lebanon IU #13
John Callahan, Asst. Exec. Director for Public Policy/Chief Lobbyist, Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PowerPoint PDF)
Thomas Gluck, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Intermediate Units
Jodi Askins, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
February 17 – Philadelphia
Subject: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2016-2017
Speakers: Beth Olanoff, Director of Policy, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PowerPoint PDF)
Marc Stier, Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (Policy Brief PDF)
Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Public Citizens for Children and Youth
Deborah Gordon Klehr, Executive Director, Education Law Center
Mark B. Miller, President-Elect, Pennsylvania School Boards Association (PowerPoint PDF and Op-Ed PDF)
Past Speakers: 2015
April 1, 2015 – Philadelphia
Subject: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2015-2016
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Donna Cooper, Executive Director, Public Citizens for Children and Youth
Larry Feinberg, Founder and Co-Chairman, Keystone State Education Coalition
Stephen D. Butz, Ed.D., Superintendent of Schools, Southeast Delco School District
March 19, 2015 – Pittsburgh
Subject: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2015-2016
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Bob Fayfich, Executive Director, PA Coalition for Public Charter Schools
Michelle Figlar, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children
Judy Swigart, Superintendent, Greater Latrobe School District
March 18, 2015 – Harrisburg
Subject: Governor Wolf’s Proposed Education Budget for 2015-2016
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Jodi Askins, Executive Director, PA Association for the Education of Young Children
John M. Callahan, Senior Director of Government Affairs, PA School Boards Association Kendy Klahr Hinkel, Ed.D., Superintendent, Pine Grove Area School District
Past Speakers: 2014
February 27, 2014 – Harrisburg
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2014-2015
Speakers: Sharon Ward, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. Rhonda A. Brunner, Superintendent of Schools, West Perry School District
Jay D. Himes, CAE, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
February 26, 2014 – State College
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2014-2015
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. Timothy S. Bowers, Superintendent, Montoursville Area School District
Jeffery S. Ammerman, Director of Technical Assistance, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
February 24, 2014 – Philadelphia
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2014-2015
Speakers: Sharon Ward, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Lee Ann Wentzel, Superintendent, Ridley School District
Rhonda Brownstein, Esq., Executive Director, Education Law Center
Larry Feinberg, Founder and Co-Chairman, Keystone State Education Coalition
Valentina G. Viletto, Esq., Director of Legislative Services and Grants Development, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
February 13, 2014 – Pittsburgh
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2014-2015
Speakers: Sharon Ward, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Judy Swigart, Superintendent, Greater Latrobe School District
Patrick Dowd, Executive Director, Alliance for Children
Nancy Hubley, Managing Director, Education Law Center – Pittsburgh
Jamie Baxter, Director of Legislative Policy and Advocacy, Allegheny Intermediate Unit
Past Speakers: 2013 and 2012
February 27, 2013 – Philadelphia
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2013-2014
Speakers: Sharon Ward, Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Mark B. Miller, School Director, Centennial School District
Joe Otto, Chief Operations Officer, William Penn School District
Michael Churchill, Of Counsel, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
Dr. Stephen D. Butz, Superintendent, Southeast Delco School District
February 19, 2013 – State College
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2013-2014
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. G. Brian Toth, Superintendent, Bellwood-Antis School District
David Hutchinson, School Board Director, State College Area School District
Jen DeBell, Government Relations Director, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children
February 14, 2013 – Pittsburgh
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2013-2014
Speakers: Sharon Ward, Executive Director, The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. Joseph Clapper, Superintendent, Quaker Valley School District
Michelle Figlar, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children
Brett Lago, Business Manager, Penn-Trafford School District
Kenneth P. Service, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
February 13, 2013 – Harrisburg
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2013-2014
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. Eric Eshbach, Superintendent, Northern York County School District
Jay D. Himes, CAE, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
Joan L. Benso, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children
December 6, 2012 – Pittsburgh
Subject: The Resegregation of Suburban Schools: A Hidden Crisis In American Education
Speaker: Erica Frankenberg, Ed.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Education Policy Studies, College of Education, Penn State University
November 29, 2012 – Harrisburg
Subject: Tom Gentzel reflects on his 32-year career as an education advocate in Harrisburg and offers some unsolicited advice to those who will remain on the front lines.
Speaker: Thomas J. Gentzel, Former Executive Director of the PA School Boards Association and New Executive Director of the National School Boards Association
November 19, 2012 – Erie (Co-Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and EPLC)
Subject: Why Investing in Early Education Matters, Even in These Difficult Economic Times
Speakers: Diane Robbins, Principal, Early Childhood Learning Center, Titusville Area School District
Jill Simmons, Vice President, Early Care and School-Age Enrichment, Greater Erie YMCA
Dr. James Tracy, Superintendent, Girard School District
Nancy Kalista, Executive Director, Early Connections – Success By 6 Kindergarten Readiness Program
Larry Roberts, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
October 3, 2012 – Bethelehem (Co-Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and EPLC)
Subject: Why Investing in Early Education Matters, Even in These Difficult Economic Times
Speakers: Dr. Dean Donaher, Director of Student Services, Bethlehem Area School District
Michele McEllroy, Owner, The Cuddle Zone
Susan M. Williams, Ed.D., President/CEO, Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers
Tracy Weaver, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
June 5, 2012 – Harrisburg (Co-Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and EPLC)
Subject: Why Investing in Early Education Matters, Even in These Difficult Economic Times
Speakers: Karen E. Wynn, Acting Principal of Early Childhood Education, School District of Lancaster
Dr. Craig Raisner, Pre-K Coordinator, Halifax School District
Jessica Clisham, Pre-K Teacher, Halifax School District
Kelly Hummert, Director of Options Child Care and Preschool/Capital Area Children’s Center (Camp Hill)
Renee Zirkle, Director, KinderCare Learning Center – York
Tracy Weaver, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
May 17, 2012 – Pittsburgh
Subject: College Completion Agenda
Speakers: Gregg Fleisher, National AP Training and Incentives Program Director, National Math+Science Initiative
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Marcus S. Lingenfelter, Director, State Government Relations, The College Board
May 8, 2012 – Harrisburg (Co-Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education, Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council, and EPLC)
Subject: Adult Literacy – A Critical Role in Pennsylvania’s Future
Speakers: Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Cynthia Burkhart, Ed.D., Executive Director, Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit
Diane Bosak, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges
Terri Kaufman, Executive Director, South Central Workforce Development Board
JoAnn Weinberger, Chair, Public Policy Committee, Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) and President/Executive Director, Center for Literacy
Jeff Woodyard, Executive Director, Tri-County OIC
April 19, 2012 – Pittsburgh (Co-Sponsored by the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children and EPLC)
Subject: Why Investing In Early Education Matters, Even In These Difficult Economic Times
Speakers: Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Larry Roberts, Outreach Coordinator, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children
Dr. Cathy Lobaugh, Coordinator of Early Childhood Programs, McKeesport School District
Tom Smith, Executive Director, Long Run Children’s Learning Center
Donna Furnier, Superintendent, Jefferson-Morgan School District
Elizabeth (Betty) Lisowski, Executive Director, Riverview Children’s Center
Patrick M. Graczyk, Assistant to the Superintendent, Highlands School District
March 28, 2012 – Harrisburg
Subject: EPLC’s New Public Policy Report: Creating Pennsylvania’s Future Through the Arts and Education
Speakers: Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Jordan Crosby, Director, Arts and Education Initiative, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Roberta Marcus, Past President, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
Clyde McGeary, Former Curriculum Executive, Pennsylvania Department of Education
Jenny Hershour, Managing Director, Citizens for the Arts in PA
Debbie Turici, Fine Arts Caucus Chair, Pennsylvania State Education Association
Jim Buckheit, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators
March 8, 2012 – Pittsburgh
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2012-2013
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dean Maynard, Assistant Executive Director, Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit #5
Sandra Romanowski, Superintendent, Bradford Area School District
Michelle Figlar, Executive Director, Pittsburgh Association for the Education of Young Children
February 29, 2012 – Harrisburg
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2012-2013
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Jay Himes, CAE, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials
Dr. Michael Panek, Superintendent, West Branch Area School District
Hannah Barrick, JD, Government Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
February 24, 2012 – State College
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2012-2013
Speakers: Michael Wood, Research Director, Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Dr. G. Brian Toth, Superintendent, Bellwood-Antis School District
Brent Sailhamer, Government Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania School Boards Association
February 16, 2012 – Philadelphia
Subject: Governor Corbett’s Proposed Education Budget for 2012-2013
Speakers: Sharon Wood, Executive Director, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Ron Cowell, President, The Education Policy and Leadership Center
Michael Churchill, Of Counsel, Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia
Shelly Yanoff, Executive Director, Public Citizens of Children and Youth
Alex McNeil, Senior at Temple University and Founder of Project E.D.U.
Valentina “Tina” Viletto, Director of Legislative Services, Montgomery County Intermediate Unit
January 25, 2012 – Harrisburg
Subject: College Completion Agenda
Speakers: Dr. Peter S. Garland, Executive Vice Chancellor, Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
Marcus S. Lingenfelter, Director, State Government Relations, The College Board
John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D., President, Harrisburg Area Community College
Past EPLC Conferences:
