Final Review of the 2017 GW/NASP Public Policy Institute

In This Section

Equity and Access to High Quality Public Education: National Policy Directions to Address Educational Disparities

From July 17–21, school psychologists, teachers, school administrators, graduate students, and others interested in education policy came to Washington, DC to participate in the 2017 GW/NASP Public Policy Institute (PPI). The institute was cosponsored by the George Washington University (GW) Graduate School of Education and Human Development (GSEHD). GW brings to the partnership resources, professional expertise, and professional connections that help make the PPI a rich public policy-training experience for all involved.

This year, PPI participants came from 24 states and the District of Columbia, including: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lousiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virgina, Washington, and Wisconsin. PPI participants had the option of taking a 3-day basic training (July 17–19) for NASP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit or a 5-day advanced training (July 17-21) for NASP Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit or GW Graduate Semester Credit. Additionally, this year a 2-day Special Topic training was offered to people who have previously attended PPI. This opportunity focused on exploring the theme of the institute in greater depth through participation in Days 4 and 5 of the program. An amazing line up of national experts presented information and engaged in dialogues with PPI participants. Some of the national leaders and scholars who participated in this year's PPI included:

  • Maria Ferguson, Executive Director, Center on Education Policy

  • Florencia Guiterrez, Senior Research Associate, Annie E Casey Foundation, National Kids Count

  • Bruce Lesley,  President, First Focus

  • Jason Botel, Assistant Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education, U.S. Department of Education

  • Monifa McNight, U.S. Department of Education Campus Principal Ambassafor Fellow Principal

  • Michael Yudin, Principal, Raben Group

  • Sam Ortiz, Professor of Psychology, St. John's University

  • Paul Gorski, Professor, George Mason University

  • Christina Dukes, Federal Liaison, National Center for Homeless Education

  • Jenee Littrell, Administrator, Safe and Supportive Schools, Student Services Division, San Mateo County Office of Education
  • David Shriberg, Professor of Education, Loyola University
  • Sandy Flores, Doctoral Candidate, Dissertation: Dissertation:  An Examination of Multicultural Competence and Racial Colorblindness Among School Psychologists." Loyola University
  • Eric Rossen, Director of Professional Development and Standards, NASP
  • George Batsche, Director of the Institute for School Reform, University of South Florida
  • Brian Gaunt, Inter-Project Coordinator, Florida MTSS Project, College of Behavioral and Community Services, Univeristy of South Florida

Members of the NASP Government and Professional Relations Committee, as well as key staff members, led interactive discussions and provided education on the basics of grassroots advocacy. Carol Kochhar-Bryant, Former GWU Senior Associate Dean of GSHED, also presented, led teamwork sessions, facilitated discussions, and directed the GWU credit participants. You can view the full agenda for both the 3-day and 5-day training experiences and see the entire line up of speakers below.

Capitol Hill Day, July 19, 2017

On July 19, 2017 PPI participants traveled to the US Capitol to engage in a productive day of advocacy. The day began in the Rayburn House Building, in a room sponsored by the Senate House Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Participants enjoyed a continental breakfast and got an inside look at life on Capitol Hill through a question-and-answer session with legislative staff members. We thank Jarred Solomon, Legislative Assistant, Sen. Bob Casey (PA), Geoff Browning, Education Legislative Assistant, Rep. Catherine Clark (MA-5), Brad Thomas, Eeucation Policy Advisor, House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Majority Staff, Matt Stern, Education Professional Staff, Senate HELP Committee, Majority Staff, and Allie Kimmel, Senior Education Policy Advisor for the Senate HELP Committee under Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) for sharing their experiences working on Capitol Hill. After the morning session, state teams ventured into the halls of Congress to meet their elected officials and/or legislative staff. Nearly 100 visits to the offices of US senators and US representatives were made that day. NASP materials and resources were presented and specific public policy priorities and issues were discussed.

Sample Presentations

PowerPoint presentations are accessible to current NASP members only. Please log in to see the links. PPI sessions included presentations from national experts, school psychology leaders, GWU faculty, and NASP staff. Samples of some of the presentations are included here: