2025-2026 Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program (AEPLP) 

Theme: “Strategic Leadership in the Midst of Chaos”

AEPLP Mission

The Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program (AEPLP) will engage state education policy program alumni in collaborating with peers across state lines to further enhance the knowledge and skills that support the development, promotion, adoption, and implementation of public policy to improve educational opportunity for all.

PROGRAM GOALS 

1. To advance the knowledge and skills acquired previously in state-level education policy programs.
2. To nurture and expand networking relationships among senior fellows across the Consortium states.
3. To broaden for Senior Fellows awareness of and access to Federal and non-governmental resources.
4. To increase awareness of education policy initiatives in the Consortium member states.
5. To better understand the complexity of school district (LEA), state, and federal education policy development, implementation and impact. 
6. To promote understanding of the political environment that influences the making of federal and state education policy.
7. To enhance strategic leadership skills and develop the political sophistication necessary to successfully influence policy development, adoption, and implementation at the local, state and national levels.

ADMISSION PROCESS

Advanced EPLP candidates will have completed a state education policy program or institute and will have experience in education policy issues, strategic leadership, and/or senior leadership roles. Invitations to participate in the program will be at the discretion of AEPLP state coordinators and will typically be sent by state coordinators on or before June 30, 2025.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants who intend to request employer support may be required to submit a signed Supervisor Authorization Form committing the employing institution to provide release time and remuneration for the program fee and/or the in-person Symposium travel and expenses. 

Program Structure for ONE Cohort of Approximately 30 Senior Fellows 

The year-long Advanced EPLP program will include: 

• Eight Zoom meetings to be held on Thursdays from 9:30 am to 12 noon ET.
• Two-day In-person Symposium at the Melrose Georgetown Hotel in Washington DC on September 18 and 19, 2025.
• The completion of an optional State Education Policy Proposal Project.
• Additional State Team meetings as determined by the State Coordinator. 

Program Fee & Estimated Expenses for the In-Person Symposium

The program participation fee for 2025-26 is $1,975.00.  The program fee covers the eight Thursday Zoom sessions and the two-day Washington Symposium programming. The program fee includes dinner on September 18 as well as breakfast and lunch on September 19.

Transportation to Washington DC, hotel costs (estimated group rate is $229.00 per night plus local taxes), and all other travel expenses are the responsibility of the Senior Fellow.

CRITERIA FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM

Understanding that unforeseen circumstances such as personal or professional emergencies or conflicts may require a Fellow to miss a day, but anticipating that absences will be the exception rather than the norm, the following minimum criteria have been established in order for a Fellow to receive a certificate of completion of the Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program:

1. The Fellow is expected to attend both days of the in-person Symposium in Washington DC and all of the eight Zoom sessions.
2. To successfully complete the program, you may not be absent from more than two of the ten session days, arriving on time and remaining for the entire program with only minor exceptions permitted for late arrival/early departure.
3. For virtual sessions, Fellows are expected to have their cameras on at all times.
4. The Fellow must notify their state coordinator as far in advance as possible of any conflict that prevents participation in a session. 
   

Optional Education Policy Project 

Each state site may determine if an education policy project will be required or supported as an optional activity for the senior fellows to explore the realities of policy development, advocacy, and implementation at the state and local levels. If a state chooses to require or offer an optional policy project activity, the state coordinator will provide necessary guidance for this activity. 

AEPLP Program Activities for 2025-26:

Content Theme: “Strategic Leadership in the Midst of Chaos”

A.  Washington, DC Symposium: Federal Education Policy on September 18-19, 2025

• Thursday, September 18: Symposium sessions and dinner (2 pm to 8:30 pm ET)
• Friday, September 19: Symposium sessions (8:15 am to 3:30 pm ET) 

B.  Online Zoom Sessions

Thursday Zoom sessions will run from 9:30 am to 12 noon ET. 

1. October 16: What is the Purpose of Public Education?
2. November 13:  Building coalitions to support public policy goals.
3. December 11: What is the appropriate role of the federal government in the governance and operation of K-12 and postsecondary education?
4. January 15: What are the characteristics of effective strategic leadership in chaotic circumstances?
5. February 12:  How can leaders promote civil discourse in the midst of chaos?
6. March 12: Do turbulent times present opportunities for progress?
7. April 9: How can education leaders make common ground in the current political environment?
8. April 30: How does a leader stay on course with their “North Star” in the midst of turbulence?

AEPLP Consortium: State Program Coordinators

Kansas/Missouri

• Tyson Elbert (Founder & Executive Director, AdvocacyBuild, LLC)

Michigan

• Tyler Thur (Associate Director of Data and Evaluation, MSU Office of K-12 Outreach)

Minnesota

• Dan Loritz (Senior Fellow and President, Center for Policy Design)
• Dr. John Ward (Senior Fellow and Board Member, Center for Policy Design)
• Sabrina Williams (Senior Fellow, Center for Policy Design)

New York

• Lisa Davis (Education Policy and Governance Consultant)
• Dr. Robert Monson (Retired Senior Lecturer, Education Leadership Program, Teachers College, Columbia University)

Ohio

• Michelle Connavino (Director, Northeast Ohio Intermediate Service Center)

Pennsylvania

• Ronald Cowell, J.D. (Founder & Senior Fellow, Education Policy & Leadership Center)
• Amy Morton (Executive Director, Education Policy and Leadership Center)
  

Next Steps