Connecting Families, Schools, & Communities

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

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 […]

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

Institute for Educational Leadership and Backrs Announce New Technology Partnership Focused on Coaching and Student Supports 

May 11, 2026: The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) and Backrs are thrilled to jointly introduce to their networks a new partnership that will combine IEL’s national network and leadership footprint with the scalable postsecondary and career support models provided by Backrs to strengthen the impact of Community Schools, Districts, and Nonprofit partners.  School leaders are being asked to deliver stronger postsecondary and career outcomes under increasing constraints including unsustainable advising ratios, counselor

Institute for Educational Leadership and Backrs Announce New Technology Partnership Focused on Coaching and Student Supports  Read More »

Institute for Educational Leadership Announces Leadership Transition, Celebrates President Eddie Koen’s Tenure, and Appoints Kwesi Rollins as Interim President

IEL remains committed to our values and work to partner, innovate, and lead to advance opportunities for all children, youth, and families. Washington, DC – 4/24/26 – The Board of Directors of the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) announced today that President and CEO Eddie Koen will be departing IEL in May to pursue a

Institute for Educational Leadership Announces Leadership Transition, Celebrates President Eddie Koen’s Tenure, and Appoints Kwesi Rollins as Interim President Read More »

IEL Announces New Partnership with the Alliance for Youth Thriving, Becomes Publisher of Youth Today

The Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) is thrilled to announce that it is the new publisher of Youth Today and is now the fiscal sponsor of the Alliance for Youth Thriving as part of deeper partnership with Karen Pittman and Merita Irby, thought leaders in youth development and education who are joining IEL as senior

IEL Announces New Partnership with the Alliance for Youth Thriving, Becomes Publisher of Youth Today Read More »

IEL Celebrates Passing of FY26 Federal Spending Package That Includes Funding for Key Education Programs

On February 3, 2026, Congress passed its spending package that will fund the vast majority of the federal government through September 30th of this year, ending a partial government shutdown. IEL celebrates several funding victories for federal programs in this Omnibus appropriations bill that align with our Policy by the People Congressional agenda to advance

IEL Celebrates Passing of FY26 Federal Spending Package That Includes Funding for Key Education Programs Read More »

January Policy by the People Federal Update

  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 been happening in federal education policy in the month of January, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress Appropriations Nears End: The House passed a series of minibuses, or spending packages, on

January Policy by the People Federal Update Read More »

IEL/Coalition for Community Schools Statement: The Future of the Full-Service Community Schools Grant Must Be Protected

January 12, 2026 As Congress considers the nation’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, it is essential that they invest in children, youth, and families by funding the Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) Grant Program at $135 million. Community Schools are a proven strategy for success in thousands of schools across the country. Impact spans both academic and

IEL/Coalition for Community Schools Statement: The Future of the Full-Service Community Schools Grant Must Be Protected Read More »

Amid Shutdown, Hundreds of U.S. Department of Education Staff Receive Reduction in Force Notices, Nearly Gutting Two Key Areas

October 11, 2025 On Friday afternoon, the Trump Administration announced via the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that a widespread “reduction in force” (RIF) of federal employees was under way, impacting the U.S. Department of Education (ED), among other agencies. The Administration warned earlier this month that it would start implementing a RIF amid

Amid Shutdown, Hundreds of U.S. Department of Education Staff Receive Reduction in Force Notices, Nearly Gutting Two Key Areas Read More »

September 2025 Policy by the People Federal Update

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 been happening in federal education policy in the month of September, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress The Final Countdown: Congress has until September 30, 2025, to pass the FY26 federal budget

September 2025 Policy by the People Federal Update Read More »

Institute for Educational Leadership and Clear Impact Announce New Technology Partnership Focused on Data and Impact

Reposted from Clear Impact [Rockville, MD] — September 9, 2025: Clear Impact and Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) are thrilled to jointly introduce to their networks “Partnering for Child and Family Peak Results: An Initiative of IEL and Clear Impact”. Schools are hubs of opportunity that provide essential academic, health, and social services to students

Institute for Educational Leadership and Clear Impact Announce New Technology Partnership Focused on Data and Impact Read More »

Scroll to Top