Policy Institute

PSBA has launched an exemplary educational program designed to provide first-term school directors with an eight-month experience that will grow their capacity as locally elected officials and leaders of public education. Participants will meet regularly during the 2022-23 school year via Zoom in addition to two in-person events. The program seeks to enhance their capacity as directors and advocates, as well as grow their relationship with PSBA and their locally elected officials. 

Purpose 

Foster greater collaboration between school directors across the commonwealth, enhance communication among leaders, educate and grow the impact of PSBA’s advocacy efforts, and expand school directors’ understanding of policy issues impacting Pennsylvania’s public schools.  

Goals 

• Increase knowledge of the Pennsylvania political system and its impact on public schools. 
• Grow leadership skills and develop new approaches to school governance.  
• Discuss and develop approaches for fostering civility at the board table and managing community civil discourse during a divisive issue debate.  
• Develop a cohort of school director leaders to continue their dialogue following the conclusion of the program.  
• Foster a greater connection between PSBA to help accelerate school directors’ advocacy for public education at the local, state and federal levels. 

Congratulations to the 2022 inaugural Policy Institute participants: 

Application

If you would like to participate in the 2022-23 Policy Institute, please click here to download a PDF application or complete the webform below. If you have any additional questions about the Policy Institute, please contact Lena Hannah, member outreach manager, at Lena.Hannah@psba.org.  

School Board Director Information

Name *

First

Last

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingState

Zip Code

Phone *

Email *

School district *

Year elected or appointed in *

PA Required School Director Training (Act 55 of 2017 and Act 18 of 2019)

Did you complete required school director training? *

• Yes
• No

If yes, how did you complete your training requirements? *

• By attending an in-person PSBA RQD program
• Online PSBA RQD program via myPSBA.org
• Through a different PDE approved RQD provider

Short Answer Essay

In 150 words or less, describe how this program will advance your understanding of effective school board governance and the impact you would like to have on your school board following the program’s completion. *

Agreement to Fully Complete Program

Name *

First

Last

Signature

Clear Signature

If I am selected for this program, I agree to participate in all identified meetings listed on the program summary, to inform my superintendent and board colleagues of my participation in this PSBA-sponsored program, and to actively participate in advocacy efforts.

Demographic Information (Optional)

By answering the following questions, you allow us to better support the unique needs of school board directors.

What age group do you fit into?

• 20-29
• 30-39
• 40-49
• 50-59
• 60-69
• 70-79
• 80 years or older

To which gender identity do you most identify?

• Male
• Female
• Transgender Female
• Transgender Male
• Gender Variant/ Non-Conforming
• Not Listed
• Prefer not to answer

Do you identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community?

• Yes
• No
• Prefer not to answer

To which race/ethnicity do you most identify?

• White
• Black or African American
• American Indian/ Indigenous and Alaska Native
• Asian
• Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
• Latino/a/x
• Other
• Prefer not to answer

Submit