Against the backdrop of the presidential inauguration, the anniversary of January 6th, and a national day of mourning for the late President Jimmy Carter, 29 TC students headed to Washington, D.C. for the 25th Federal Policy Institute (FPI). The week-long trip in January included visits with more than 50 policy advisors, White House representatives, researchers and more to gain on the ground insights into attitudes on education policy.

 “The Federal Policy Institute is designed to be a hands-on and hearts-in experience,” explains TC’s Sharon Lynn Kagan, Marx Professor of Early Childhood and Family Policy, who leads FPI. Leveraging her expertise formulating policy and working in Washington, Kagan immerses students in an examination of the nature and challenges of the American education system. A long-time favorite among TC students, the course culminates in a visit to Washington, D.C. during the second semester, where participants hear from leaders across the political spectrum on education policy.

“The Federal Policy Institute embodies the very best of what Teachers College has to offer,” said KerryAnn O’Meara — Vice President for Academic Affairs, Provost and Dean of the College — at the reception with local alumni, many of whom participated in FPI during their time as students. “D.C. is a very special place to see the change our TC faculty and alumni make in the world, as so much of the policy and decisions made in D.C. shape opportunities in the U.S. and abroad. I am grateful to Dr. Kagan for leading this outstanding experience for students across the College”

Ahead of a major political shift in Washington, students engaged with leaders and experts from across the political spectrum. Bipartisan in orientation, sessions covered key topics such as federal education funding, the influence of courts on education policy and the intersection between education and economic, housing and food insecurity. Discussion topics included the deprofessionalization of teachers, new visions of accountability, as well as concerns about threats to our “multi-racial democracy.” A major highlight was rare candid conversations with influential leaders including The Heritage Foundation’s Lindsay Burke, lead author of the education section in Project 2025. During the alumni reception, guest speaker Preston Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, fielded questions about the rising cost of higher education and potential changes to the Department of Education. 

While much of the conversation around education policy falls along party lines, FPI revealed some possibilities for bipartisan connection in the 119th Congress, particularly around the benefit of child tax credits, the importance of preparing a diversified workforce and the need to focus on AI and other cutting-edge fields.

“Arguably, there has never been a greater need for educational leaders today,” said Kagan at the close of her remarks. “There is concern that, in the cascade of important issues that are facing our country today, there is more silence on education than there should be and part of the call for our students, and indeed for all of us, is to make sure that education gets recentered as. not only as the bedrock institution of democracy but as the center of the American economy.”

— Sherri Gardner