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 MuseumT ravel 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 EnvironmentT he 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 4/16 to 4:00 p.m. on 4/17 | 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