EPFP: 2011 Year End Update

As a member of the Education Policy Fellowship Program (EPFP) community, I wanted to reach out to you as we approach the 50^th anniversary of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) and EPFP in 2014. Since 1964, over 7,000 people have participated in EPFP and many continue to be involved. Several of our state coordinators are EPFP alums, and we are proud to have many local, state and national leaders who are former EPFP fellows.

For almost five decades, IEL has worked to build the capacity of individuals, organizations, systems and communities to work together to prepare all children and youth for post-secondary education, careers, and citizenship. This work is conducted by our three centers: the Center for Workforce Development, the Center for Family, School and Community, and the Center for Leadership and Policy. The Center for Leadership and Policy was the first of our current centers with the creation of EPFP and has been the hallmark of IEL's work ever since.

We hope you are using the EPFP online community to expand your networks, by reconnecting with alumni and connecting with current fellows. Other useful tools from the website include a section for job postings and a section which highlights alumni achievements.

Progress of the Center for Leadership and Policy

• EPFP is operating in 12 sites (CT, DC, GA, MA, MI, MN, MS, NY, NC, OH, PA and SC), a major achievement in tough economic times. Our new Mississippi site is housed at the Stennis Institute for Government at Mississippi State University.
• IEL launched Global EPFP (GEPFP) in August 2011. This year 22 Global Fellows are participating. They are studying education policy in the "Age of Globalization” by investigating education challenges in economically developed and developing countries. A study trip to China highlights the experience.
• IEL has organized a first of its kind network of family and community engagement leaders in local school districts. We have long believed that families and communities are an overlooked resource in education reform, and this leadership network is intended to use this valuable resource.
• More leaders gained exposure to the increasingly challenging and complex Washington policy scene with IEL this year. Twenty-one rural principals, organized by North Carolina State University, as well as graduates students from Teachers College Columbia University joined us for two Federal Education Policy Institutes in 2011. A third Federal Education Policy Institute is planned for next year.

How to Reconnect with EPFP

• Participate in the EPFP Book Club: join Fellows as they discuss "The Influence of Teachers” by John Merrow.
• Come to the 2012 Washington Policy Seminar! Register, submit a proposal to present a concurrent session workshop or become a conference exhibitor.
• Search for and connect with alumni, Site Coordinators, Fellows and national staff through the online community.
• Help with new site development. We are currently working to add sites in Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Colorado. If you are aching to get back in the leadership and policy arena, help start EPFP in your state. Please contact Stefani Wilcox to learn how you can be involved.
  

If you have not recently, please update your information in the EPFP online community. Please have a joyous holiday season!

Sincerely,

Martin J. Blank
President, IEL