Building Pathways to Adulthood

IEL Remembers Joan L. Wills, Trailblazing Leader and Champion for Youth and Workforce Development

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Leading Across Boundaries /

Washington, D.C. – The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) mourns the passing of Joan L. Wills, a visionary leader, longtime colleague, and dedicated advocate whose contributions helped shape IEL’s work at the intersection of education, workforce development, and opportunity for young people, including youth with disabilities. Throughout her distinguished career, Joan championed the belief that

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Institute for Educational Leadership Announces Michele Brooks as Senior Fellow

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities /

October 21, 2026 (Washington, D.C.) — The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is thrilled to announce that Michele Brooks, long-time IEL partner and renowned Family Engagement leader, has been appointed as Senior Fellow. In this role, Michele will help continue to elevate and bolster IEL’s work to support effective Family and Community Engagement. Michele also

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September Policy Update

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities, Events, Federal Government, IEL Initiatives & Partnerships, Policy/Legislation, Preparing Leaders, Resources /

What’s Happening in Washington  *Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government. Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of September, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress Congress Pushes FY27 Funding Deadline to December: Prior to breaking for August Recess, the Senate passed

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August Policy by the People Federal Update

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Events, Federal Government, Leading Across Boundaries, Policy/Legislation, Preparing Leaders, Resources /

What’s Happening in Washington  *Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government. Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of August, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress  Congress Returns from August Recess: Prior to breaking for August Recess, the Senate passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to continue to fund the

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July Policy by the People Federal Update

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities, Events, Federal Government, IEL Initiatives & Partnerships, Leading Across Boundaries, Policy/Legislation, Resources /

What’s Happening in Washington  *Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government. Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of July, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress The Rush Before August Recess: The U.S. House of Representatives left Washington on July 23 for

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IEL Mourns Passing of Former Colleague, Disability Advocate Dana Fink

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Federal Government, Leading Across Boundaries, Policy/Legislation /

July 23, 2026 (Washington D.C.) – The team at the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is saddened by the passing of a former colleague, Dana M. Fink. As noted in her obituary, “Dana devoted her career to advancing the rights and well-being of people with disabilities and older adults.” During her time with IEL, Dana served IEL’s

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June Policy by the People Federal Update

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Federal Government, Policy/Legislation, Preparing Leaders, Resources /

What’s Happening in Washington  *Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government. Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of June, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress  The FY27 Appropriations Process Continues: The House Appropriations Committee held markups for the FY27 Labor-HHS appropriations bill on June 9th. An amendment

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Guiding Lights, Brighter Futures: A CSxFE26 Reflection

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities, Events, IEL Initiatives & Partnerships, IEL Leaders, Leading Across Boundaries, Preparing Leaders, Resources /

By Nikkie Baum, CSxFE Volunteer/Attendee; Community School Impact Coordinator, Marie Hughes Community Schools (Albuquerque, NM) The forecast started off cloudy but the smiles inside the Long Beach Convention Center were shining brightly as attendees joined the start of the 2026 National Community Schools and Family Engagement Conference during the last week of May. Powered by

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Gathering for Change: How IEL and California Partners Are Shaping the Future of Young People and Community Schools

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities, Preparing Leaders /

In California, the movement for Community Schools has been taking shape for decades across universities, school districts, nonprofits, workforce organizations, and city agencies through partnerships grounded in relationships, sustainability, and a shared belief that young people deserve more than fragmented systems. In recent years, momentum for Community Schools has only increased, as the strategy provides

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May Policy by the People Federal Update

Building Pathways to Adulthood, Federal Government, Leading Across Boundaries, Policy/Legislation, Preparing Leaders, Resources /

What’s Happening in Washington  *Please note: This update may not include all the changes currently happening in the federal government. Here’s what’s happened in federal education policy in the month of May, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress The House Appropriations Subcommittee overseeing the Department of Education FY2027 budget, which is included in the

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