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 ProgramIntroductions to Program and FellowsK-12 Governance: Intersection of Local-State-Federal Education PolicyPolitics, Elections and Public Policy in PennsylvaniaOverview 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 PennsylvaniaRole of State Board of Education and IRRCRole 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 GuidesGuided Tour of the Gettysburg Battlefield with Focus on Strategic Decisions that Directed the Actions of Union and Confederate ArmiesVisit to Gettysburg Battlefield Visitors Center and MuseumTravel 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 FacultyLeadership Lessons Learned from GettysburgInstitutional Leadership and Managing ChangeDeveloping Strategic Leaders |
| Session 3 Friday, October 13 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | The Education Policy-Making EnvironmentIntroduction to Policy Project and Identification of Project TeamsPolicy Players, Media, and the ProcessRole of Research in Education Policy |
| Session 4 Friday, October 27 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Leadership and EthicsCharacteristics of Ethical LeadershipLeadership for Diversity, Inclusiveness and EquityPA Ethics Commission and Public Officials Ethics LawProfessional Standards and Practices Commission |
| Session 5 Friday, November 3 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | A Changing Education EnvironmentThe Many Voices of “School Reform”Meeting the Needs of Increasingly Diverse and Mobile StudentsTrauma Informed Education – Implications for Policymakers & Educators |
| Session 6 Friday, November 17 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Conversations with School LeadersState PolicymakersTeachers-of-the-YearSuperintendents, 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 CitizenshipAssuring Access to Affordable and Quality Early Childhood ProgramsReady for Success – 21st Century Skills, Counseling and 339 PlansNurturing an Educated Citizenry and Educated Workforce |
| Session 8 Friday, December 15 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | STEM and Workforce Development IssuesProjecting Pennsylvania’s Workforce NeedsSTEM and Career and Technical Education |
| Session 9 Friday, January 5 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | School Choices, Technology & Remote LearningVouchers, Charters, Home School, and Public School ChoicesChallenges for Pennsylvania’s Rural Districts |
| Session 10 Friday, January 19 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Recruiting, Preparing and Retaining TeachersA Teacher Shortage – Developing a Teacher PipelineSupporting and Retaining New TeachersSevere Shortage of Minority TeachersImplications for Educator Preparation Programs |
| Session 11 Friday, February 2 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Postsecondary EducationGovernance and Funding of Higher Education in PennsylvaniaPostsecondary Access, Affordability, and QualityHigher Education Accountability and Accreditation |
| Session 12 Friday, February 16 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Community Schools, School and Community PartnershipsSchool and Community Partnerships to Support StudentsSchool Partnerships with Art and Cultural Organizations |
| Session 13 Friday, March 1 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Promoting Civic Dialogue & Civil DiscourseCivic Dialogue/Civil Discourse Principles and ApplicationsTurning Difficult Conversations into Learning OpportunitiesUnderstanding and Addressing Peoples’ Core Concerns |
| Session 14 Friday, March 15 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Building Partnerships and Public AdvocacyCollaboration and Building CoalitionsEffective Advocacy – Making an Impact with Public Officials |
| Session 15Friday, April 5 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | Pennsylvania Budget and Fiscal IssuesPA State Budget and RevenuesState 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 DCTuesday Evening Dinner with Guest SpeakerWednesday Breakfast, Policy Briefings, and LunchHill Visits Planned and Conducted by Fellows & PA AlumniOptional Capitol Tour |
| Session 16 Friday, April 26 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | P-12 Education Finance IssuesHistory and Fundamentals of P-12 Finance in PAGovernor’s Proposed 2024-2025 State Education BudgetDistrict 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 CapitolMorning Briefings by Key Education Policy StaffPDE Programs and Services for Students, Educators, and DistrictsVisits to Policymaker Offices – Present Project BriefingsOptional 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 SpeakersGraduation & RecognitionPresentation 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