“The educational policy fellowship program gave me an opportunity to hear firsthand from some of the leaders in education on a regional, state, and national level,” Christopher said. “The program allowed fellows to delve into policy issues which are currently impacting education at all levels.”

The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education brought the national program to the state last October, and the first group of fellows began their 10-month course of instruction.

Georgia State University’s Andrew Young School of Public Policy and the Office of the Vice President for Public Service & Outreach at the University of Georgia are co-sponsors. Georgia is one of 13 states and the District of Columbia to offer the unique program designed to build education policy expertise.

The Georgia Partnership has long recognized the need to develop leaders across the state who have a clear understanding of how education policy is made. The organization collaborated with The Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington D.C., which oversees the national operation.

EPFP is billed as a “professional development program that provides potential leaders with the knowledge and networks to advance the core issues of education policy… ultimately EPFP seeks to improve the chances of children and youth to succeed.”

The fellows came from a variety of education related organizations, institutions, and foundations and also included business participation.

The program was composed of eight monthly colloquiums, attendance at a national leadership conference in Arizona, and participation in a National Washington Policy Seminar. Speakers included leaders in a wide variety of subjects including funding, higher education, school choice, early education, politics, the demographic landscape and more.

Founded in 1990 by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education consists of business, education, community and government leaders who share a vision of improved education. Working to be Georgia’s foremost change agent in education, the non-partisan, non-profit, independent organization takes lead roles in efforts to shape policy and reform education. More information is available at www.gpee.org.