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 […]
IEL Mourns Passing of Former Colleague, Disability Advocate Dana Fink Read More »
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
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
May Policy by the People Federal Update Read More »
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
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
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 December, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Congress Appropriations Continues: The Appropriations process continues. As three appropriations bills (the Legislative Branch, Agriculture, and
December Policy by the People Federal Update Read More »
Click through the album below to see highlights from this years National Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference in Minneapolis!
Photo Highlights from CSxFE25 Read More »
The latest news, views, & tools in federal education policy 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 February, and what lies ahead. The U.S. Department of Education: The Senate confirmation hearing of
February Federal Policy Update Read More »
IEL Youth Transition Reports: Outcomes for Youth and Young Adults with Disabilities (2023) About the Annual Youth Transition ReportThe 2023 Youth Transition Report underscores the persistent and pernicious gap between youth and young adults with disabilities and those without disabilities on measures of success in education, employment, opportunity, and poverty. While data and reports exist
Youth Transition Reports: Five Years of Data Read More »
Data Tools to Support Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities Since 2019, the Institute for Educational Leadership has authored a Youth Transition Report to underscore the persistent and pernicious gaps between youth and young adults with disabilities and those without disabilities on measures of success in education, employment, opportunity, and poverty. While data and reports exist for
New: IEL Data Tools to Support Transition-Age Youth with Disabilities Read More »