JOIN US FOR THE 61ST WASHINGTON POLICY SEMINARTM!
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 at a Glance
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.
The 3-day schedule includes:
- Plenary sessions with experts in the field, including senior leadership at the U.S. Department of Education
- Opening Reception
- Capacity-building workshops and roundtables
- Congressional Role-Play
- Networking Breakfasts
- A visit to Capitol Hill (optional)
- Peer-learning opportunities
Attendees
WPS is designed for leaders at diverse stages in their career. Leaders from across sectors and organization supporting children, youth, and families, such as:
- PreK-12 Education leaders e.g.: early childhood educators, classroom teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, Community School coordinators,
Community School manager, family liaison, nurses, counselors, librarians, district staff, superintendents - 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 opens November 1st. Early bird rate is $745 per person November 1 – December 31, 2024. Standard rate is $950 per person January 1 – February 23, 2025 (or until the event sells out). This event is likely to sell out, so register early.
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 min 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.
Cherry Blossoms
The hotel overlooks the Cherry Blossoms. Learn more about the annual Cherry Blossom events and watch the blossom cam.