Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week 2024 is April 22-26 and it’s the perfect time to recognize, appreciate, and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. As part of the collective efforts to encourage appreciation and support for all the afterschool professionals who make a profound difference in the lives of young people, […]
Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week Read More »
The White House and the Department of Education hosted a National FAFSA Week of Action last week, April 15-19, 2024, and highlighted it’s new FAFSA website and financial aid application form for prospective college students. It’s crucial for students and educators alike to understand the significance of this system. Building off the FAFSA week of
Navigating the New FAFSA: A Guide for Students and Educators Read More »
March 12, 2024 President Biden released his fiscal year 2025 budget request yesterday, outlining the Administration’s plan for critical investments in public education to support post-pandemic recovery and overcome inequities increasingly exacerbated by historic inflation and systematic underfunding of marginalized communities. IEL celebrates this proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 as it seeks to expand
IEL Applauds President’s FY25 Budget Investments in Community Schools and Family Support Read More »
By Eddie Koen, President of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) As we come together on Monday to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr., venerated as the focal point of the civil rights movement, it is a time not only to reflect on the profound legacy of Dr. King but also to envision a future where
Embracing Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2024: A Call to Transformative Leadership Read More »
Pictured above: Youth and adults from IEL’s Ready to Achieve Mentoring Program (RAMP) pose in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial during the 2023 RAMP Annual Meeting. 33 years ago today, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. This legislation enabled people that were, and still are, categorically discriminated against,
IEL Builds on Over 3 Decades of Advocacy to Support People and Youth with Disabilities Read More »
IEL staff joined the Family Café to facilitate the first Florida Advocacy Summit (funded through the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council), which included self-advocates with disabilities, family members, and allies. Together, the attendees created advocacy action plans to address barriers to affordable, accessible housing and transportation for people with disabilities in Florida. The IEL team designed
IEL Supports Self-Advocates at Florida Advocacy Summit Read More »
By Eddie Koen Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of joining over 3,500 people at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where we came together to share, learn, and inspire one another in the work we do to build leadership around educational equity. For many, it was the first time in almost three years we
IEL works collaboratively to increase access to education and workforce opportunities, so all children and families can create the lives they want to live. By partnering with community leaders across different ages, experience levels, and sectors, IEL’s fulfills its mission to ensure that all voices—including those of youth, communities of color, and people with disabilities—are
IEl’s National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth (NCWD/Youth) invites youth, professionals, and families to participate in a National Disability Employment Awareness Month Twitter chat on October 24 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. EDT. This discussion with youth leaders will focus on ways to support youth with disabilities as they make decisions about, prepare for,
National Disability Employment Awareness Month Twitter Chat – Oct. 24 Read More »
IEL launched the third wave of its Right Turn Career-Focused Transition Initiative, partnering with community based organizations in five communities around the country, including Houston, Tex., Lansing, Mich., Los Angeles, Calif., Nashville, Tenn., and Phoenix, Ariz. Right Turn provides a career development process to young adults ages 18 to 24 who have been involved with
IEL’s Young Offender Work Focuses on Apprenticeship Read More »