South Carolina became the 13th state to join the national Education Policy Fellowship Program in 2003. The EPFP is a 10-month professional development program for individuals whose record reflects strong leadership abilities and a concern for improving the lives of young people. The Institute for Educational Leadership in Washington, DC hosts the national meetings and supports the states in their individual programs.

South Carolina’s program provides a forum for Fellows to explore public education policy issues, to link them to leaders in education policy and to develop leadership skills. Fellows are employees or volunteers in diverse organizations at the local, state, and national levels and are usually supported by their employers. Fellows remain in their full-time positions.

Fellows meet in Columbia for eight one-day sessions (usually on Thursday) that include seminars, presentations, interactive learning and leadership development activities. Two other sessions entail attendance at national meetings of fellows from all participating states: the Leadership Forum and the Washington Policy Seminar.

This agenda is addressed through three program strands which have continued to evolve since the inception of the national program in 1975.

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