Arming education leaders to act as effective advocates for public schools

From sharing your districts’ needs with state legislators to advocating for public schools at the national level, CSDGKC’s Education Policy Leadership Program (EPLP) and Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program (AEPLP) provide school leaders with the knowledge and tools necessary to help influence elected officials.

“With public school funding and programs in the crosshairs in both Jefferson City and Washington, D.C., these programs continue to grow in importance,” said Dr. Kenny Southwick, executive director at CSDGKC.

A partnership between CSDGKC and Advocacy Build, LLC, the Education Policy Leadership Program provides school professionals with a deeper understanding of state and national policies as well as best practices for communicating with lawmakers.

After completing the year-long EPLP program, school leaders have the opportunity to sign up for CSDGKC’s Advanced Education Policy Leadership Program. EPLP emphasizes state legislation and policy while AEPLP focuses on the national level.

EPLP fellows participate in six full-day, in-person seminars held in Kansas City plus seven Zoom meetings. The participants also attend one overnight legislative summit in Jefferson City or Topeka and a national legislative seminar in Washington, D.C. This year, cohorts from both Missouri and Kansas traveled to Kansas and Missouri to meet with their congressional representatives.

The national program includes five three-hour virtual meetings and an in-person symposium in Washington, D.C. In addition, the AEPLP fellows work in collaborative teams to develop an oral presentation and written policy analysis.

The EPLP group includes 23 fellows from Kansas and 22 from Missouri along with AEPLP participants from New York, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio. Participation from Missouri districts has remained steady with involvement among Kansas districts continuing to grow, increasing by 10 last year. 

Both Hollis & Miller and JE Dunn have generously provided space for the fellows’ in-person meetings.

Applications for EPLP’s 2026-27 year close in mid-June. To learn more about the program and application process, contact Tyson Elbert, tyson@advocacybuild.com, and 202-550-4868 or Dr. Kenny Southwick, ksouthwick@csdgkc.org and 816-803-4301.