California Education Policy Leadership Fellows (CA EPLF) is an independent statewide leadership initiative that builds on the legacy of the California Education Policy Fellowship Program. Formerly offered in partnership with the Institute for Educational Leadership, Education Insights Center (EdInsights) and the Center for California Studies have reimagined the program to continue its long-standing commitment to strengthening education leadership in California.
The program, now offered by EdInsights and the Center for California Studies, connects emerging leaders across sectors with an interest in shaping education and workforce policy, and a shared purpose of improving equitableaccess and outcomes for students from minoritized communities. Fellows represent a cross-sector network of roles and institutions, including PreK–12 and higher education leaders, researchers, teachers, policymakers, legislative staff, and education advocates. Together, they engage in learning, dialogue, and collaboration grounded in California’s unique policy landscape.
The program is jointly administered by the Education Insights Center and the Center for California Studies and is financially supported by the State of California and generous grants from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and College Futures Foundation.
CA EPLF is anchored in three core principles of practice:
CONNECTING LEADERS
A defining feature of the fellowship is the relationships fellows build with one another. Participants join a diverse, cross-sector network of leaders committed to collaboration and shared learning. Through structured engagement and ongoing connection, fellows expand their professional networks, build trust across roles and institutions, and strengthen the relationships that support more inclusive and coordinated policymaking in California.
SHAPING POLICY
Fellows deepen their understanding of California’s education and workforce policy systems and the forces that shape them. Participants examine policy development and implementation through an equity lens, explore how structural inequities operate within and across PreK–12 and postsecondary systems, and consider the interconnected nature of education, workforce, and economic mobility. The program emphasizes applied learning that helps fellows navigate policy contexts and contribute to more equitable outcomes.
TRANSFORMING EDUCATION
Fellows strengthen their leadership practice by learning from peers and leaders across California’s education and policy ecosystems. Participants reflect their own leadership roles, values, and responsibilities while building skills to lead change in complex environments. The program highlights strategies that effective leaders use to advance equity, influence systems, and sustain impact within their organizations and communities.
California EPFP
California EPFP focuses on connecting people across four quadrants: K-12, postsecondary education, policy, and practice. We bring approximately 20 professionals together over the course of an academic year to explore and collaborate around the complex challenges our public education systems face. By supporting growth in individuals and cohorts over time, the program aims to contribute to improved policy development and implementation that leads to more equitable student outcomes in California within and across education systems. The program is jointly administered by the Education Insights Center and the Center for California Studies and is financially supported by the State of California and generous grants from The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and College Futures Foundation.
View recent publications including CA EPFP’s “Fellowship Insights” blog series here:
https://edinsightscenter.org/bridging-the-gap-the-decline-of-latino-black-men-in-higher-education/
Elevating Leadership: Addressing the Needs of English Learners in California
Building Cohesion to Support Student Success: A Focus on Career and Technical Education for All
Leveraging Social Capital for Collective Impact: Leading the Bay Area K-16 Collaborative
Building Cohesion Among Current Frameworks and Initiatives Statewide for Optimal Student Success
By Design, Not By Chance: ‘Moments’ in an Educational Journey
Making Change from Where I Sit: Insights from West Ed’s Lupita Cortez Alcalá
Policy, Leadership, and Networking: The Education Policy Fellowship Program’s Summer Alumni Event
Education Leaders Discuss Big Visions to Connect K-12 and Higher Education (December 2018)
Should California Develop a Statewide Student Data System? (August 2018)
Bottom-up Practice Reform Meets Top-down State Policy Change (April 2018)
Opening “Windows of Opportunity” in Education (November 2017)