Education Policy and Leadership Center – EPLC
by Lloyd Smith
The EPLC is a Pennsylvania based; state-specific, nonprofit center dedicated to education policy and leadership initiatives. Through education policy advocacy, EPLC effects educational policy, while actively encouraging and supporting the development and implementation of improved student learning at the P-12 grades. Their objectives are to increase the effectiveness of school operations, as well as expand educational opportunities to Pennsylvanians of all age groups. These goals are enhanced by policy activities, which include: solidifying student academic success by reforming standards, assessments, and accountability; creating a Pennsylvanian statewide education financial system based on equity, predictability, and accountability in the most adequate and efficient means; build educational scaffolding to effect the learning capacity of every student, and secure a credentialed teacher in every classroom throughout the school day; training and recruiting the best leaders across the educational system in the state, who are responsible and effective in school management and governance; create policies within the state that ensures every child has access to quality pre-school and kindergarten instruction; guarantee all Pennsylvanians financial and physical access to higher education. The EPLC is uniquely dedicated to the education of all citizens in the state.
This dedication is being achieved by three core strategies: 1) Information; 2) Leadership, and 3) Public advocacy. The commitment is a catalyst for education policy by initiating dialogue between the public and policymakers. The center acts as a source of comprehensive and reliable education research, and provides technical assistance, materials, and programs for policymakers and the general public. The center’s programs promote leadership activities, which build education awareness between the community leaders and policymakers. EPLC acts as a champion for education proliferation throughout the state. Bringing together over twenty organization’s representatives to facilitate education finance, the center supports a statewide system of financial governance affecting the 500 Pennsylvania school districts proactively.
Because of their singular focus, the EPLC is able to effect education policy from a systematic and efficient position. Their standing in the state provides the center the opportunity to work with professional Pennsylvania education organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators (PASA) and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials (PASBO). Along with these organizations, the center is able to build bridges across the pre-, elementary, and secondary education to link them with statewide quality higher education institutions. EPLC’s advocates for the fluidity of educational attainment, and in the process effects state policy regarding education and higher education in the most positive way through many programs, like their Educational Finance Project and others.
EPLC – The Education Policy and Leadership Center information retrieved from: http://www.eplc.org/policy-programs-and-projects/policy-projects/education
