Washington Policy Seminar

Cherry blossoms on the tidal basin. Text: March 17 -19, 2025. Washington Policy Seminar Logo and IEL logo. #WPS25. QR Code.

JOIN US FOR THE 61ST WASHINGTON POLICY SEMINARTM!

Registration is OPEN NOW

Click here to secure your front row seat to federal education policymaking

About the Washington Policy SeminarTM

We welcome you to the 61st Washington Policy SeminarTM (WPS) taking place March 17 to 19, 2025 at DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC – Crystal City. Started in 1964 by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL), WPS is your front-row seat to inside the beltway federal policy and national trends.

Network, learn, and take action over a 3-day conference filled with skill-building sessions. Throughout WPS, you will have an opportunity to:

  • Advance understanding of the federal role in education;
  • Participate in a role play exercise to gain an understanding of factors that can influence legislative decision-making process and visit with lawmakers on Capitol Hill;
  • Build a toolbox of skills on how to take action on equitable education policy; and,
  • Network with colleagues from across the country.

Agenda

The Washington Policy SeminarTM (WPS) takes place across three days. It opens at 1pm ET on Monday and concludes at 12pm on Wednesday. Pre-conference skill-building clinics can be purchased separate from WPS during the registration process. Capitol Hill visits are optional and take place at the conclusion of the formal program.

Tuesday 3/18 8-9AM: Role-Alike Networking Breakfast 9-10AM: Perspectives from the US DOE (Executive Plenary) 10-11:45am: Workshops/Breakout Sessions noon-1PM: Networking Lunch 1:30 -2:30: Judicial Branch Plenary - Understanding the Role of the Judiciary in Education Policy 3-5:50PM Congressional Roleplay
Wednesday 3/19 8-9am: State Networking Breakfast 9-10am: Legislative Branch Plenary - Policy, Politics, and Procedures Inside Congress 10-11am - Hill Prep/Meaning Making 11-11:30 - Closing Keynote 11:30 - 5PM - Hill Day

Attendees

Group of attendees cheering

WPS is designed for leaders at diverse stages in their career. Leaders from across sectors and organization supporting children, youth, and families, such as:

  • Higher Education leaders e.g.: faculty, staff, administrators, undergraduate and graduate students, post-docs
  • Community leaders e.g.: youth-serving professionals, afterschool and summer program providers, intermediary organization staff working with children, youth, and families, local/state/regional/national membership organizations staff, local/state/regional/national advocacy organization staff
  • Government & Philanthropic leaders e.g.: local/state/federal agency staff, community/regional/state/national/global foundation program officer and leaders
  • And anyone else interested in advancing their own knowledge and skills about education policy!

Register

Registration is open!

Standard rate is $985 (inclusive of cc fees) per person December 1, 2024 – February 23, 2025 (or until the event sells out). This event is likely to sell out, so register early.

Register for WPS here.

Hotel

DoubleTree by Hilton Washington DC – Crystal City is located next to Pentagon, overlooks the Washington monuments and the Tidal Basin, and is an 8 minute drive from the Capitol Hill. The hotel has complementary shuttle from the Reagan National Airport (DCA) and is accessible by metro on Crystal City and Pentagon City metro stations (blue/yellow lines). Reserve your room today!

*Lodging and travel costs are excluded from your conference registration.

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Cherry Blossoms

The hotel overlooks the Cherry Blossoms. Learn more about the annual Cherry Blossom events and watch the blossom cam.

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CURRENT EPFP FELLOWS:

Registration for 2024 – ’25 Fellows is currently open – click the button below to secure your spot!

If you have already registered for WPS, but would like to add a pre-conference session, click here.

EPFP Fellows WPS Registration
“This was a life-changing experience for me. I appreciate the supportive network and the constant, abundant learning.”
“WPS was amazing. I learned so much from all the speakers… I loved learning about how policy works in DC at the macro level. The sessions inspired me to learn more about my representatives and how I can engage with them in a real way.”​
“Thank you for all the IEL team did to put WPS on. It was a fantastic seminar, and I greatly enjoyed each session and all of the networking.”
“I plan to be much more engaged with my local, state, and federal representatives thanks to the skills I learned at WPS.” ​
“I will no longer hesitate to reach out to my representatives and to other federal government officials. I feel inspired and encouraged to be a part of the solution instead of lamenting the problem.”
“I appreciated having the opportunity to talk with folks around the country about important and current issues in education.”​
“I teach law students in an education policy practicum, so I’m walking away with lots of Ideas for our curriculum.”​
“I plan to apply the knowledge gained to drafting a teacher recruitment and retention policy. ”​

Interested in sponsoring a portion of the Washington Policy Seminar?

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here, or contact Donnie Hale at haled@iel.org.

Become a WPS sponsor

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