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Executive Education
    ... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Public Education Leadership Project Right arrow OverviewCurriculumTeaching Team
    ... Right arrow Harvard Business School Right arrow Executive Education Right arrow Programs for Individuals Right arrow Topic-Focused Programs Right arrow Public Education Leadership Project Right arrow OverviewCurriculumTeaching Team

    Public Education Leadership Project

    Public Education Leadership Project
    • Upcoming Session
    • Carousel left arrow (1 of 1) Carousel right arrow
      Waitlisted
    • Dates: 05–09 JUL 2022
    • Format: In-Person
    • Location: HBS Campus
    • Fee: $34,000 for a district team of 8
    • For more details, please visit the PELP project page.
      Download Brochure
      Download Brochure
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Participants on Spangler Quad, HBS campus, Executive Education
    Public Education Leadership Project Brochure
    Download the program details.
    Learn More
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Participants on Spangler Quad, HBS campus, Executive Education
    Public Education Leadership Project Brochure
    Download the program details.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Download Brochure
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Print
    • Overview
    • Curriculum
    • Teaching Team
    • Overview Dropdown down
      • Overview
      • Curriculum
      • Teaching Team
    Program Announcement
    The July 2022 session is filled to capacity, and additional applications will not be accepted. However, if you have strong interest for this summer's institute, and would like to be added to the waitlist in case another district needs to withdraw, please email carinatraub@gse.harvard.edu with your questions and/or intent to commit to the waitlist. Otherwise, please consider submitting a letter of interest for the 2023 PELP Summer Institute.

    Summary

    Improved student performance depends on strong leadership, a culture of collaboration, and a dedication to accountability across a school district. This program helps leaders from U.S.-based urban school systems apply proven management concepts to their districts' unique challenges. Joining with other administrators and educators from across the country, your team of eight leaders from your district will refine your management model, develop new improvement strategies, and learn how to serve your students more effectively.

    This program is offered through collaboration between its namesake, the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP), which is a joint initiative of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Harvard Business School (HBS), and the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative.

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    Summary

    Improved student performance depends on strong leadership, a culture of collaboration, and a dedication to accountability across a school district. This program helps leaders from U.S.-based urban school systems apply proven management concepts to their districts' unique challenges. Joining with other administrators and educators from across the country, your team of eight leaders from your district will refine your management model, develop new improvement strategies, and learn how to serve your students more effectively.

    This program is offered through collaboration between its namesake, the Public Education Leadership Project (PELP), which is a joint initiative of the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) and Harvard Business School (HBS), and the HBS Social Enterprise Initiative.

    Key Benefits

    In this unique program, your district team will learn and grow together, build management and leadership skills, and acquire new ability to achieve long-term excellence across all schools in your district. You will return to your district with new ideas and strategies that you can implement successfully.
    Read More
    Dropdown down
    Develop, communicate, and execute a strategy for improving your schools
    Build high-performance leadership teams that continue to learn and grow
    Adapt successful practices from other school systems to the needs of your district
    Expand your personal and professional network
    • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
    • Gain access to a valuable network of previous program participants

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    Key Benefits Dropdown down

    In this unique program, your district team will learn and grow together, build management and leadership skills, and acquire new ability to achieve long-term excellence across all schools in your district. You will return to your district with new ideas and strategies that you can implement successfully.
    Develop, communicate, and execute a strategy for improving your schools
    Build high-performance leadership teams that continue to learn and grow
    Adapt successful practices from other school systems to the needs of your district
    Expand your personal and professional network
    • Extend your network by living and working with accomplished executives from various backgrounds, industries, and countries across the globe
    • Build relationships with a diverse group of peers who can provide wide-ranging insights into your business challenges and career decisions
    • Gain access to a valuable network of previous program participants

    Who Should Attend

    The program is designed for teams of eight participants who are responsible for urban school systems with at least 20,000 enrolled students.
    Read More
    Dropdown down
    The district's superintendent must always be among the eight team participants. Other members of the multilevel leadership team might include:
    • Central office administrators
    • School principals
    • Regional supervisors
    • Union leaders
    • Teacher leaders
    • Community liaisons
    • Members of the school board, board of education, or school committee that governs the district
    Districts can build capability by sending new teams to the program over three or more consecutive years. To facilitate continuity, teams from districts returning to the program may send one additional past participant beyond the superintendent.

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    Who Should Attend Dropdown down

    The program is designed for teams of eight participants who are responsible for urban school systems with at least 20,000 enrolled students.
    The district's superintendent must always be among the eight team participants. Other members of the multilevel leadership team might include:
    • Central office administrators
    • School principals
    • Regional supervisors
    • Union leaders
    • Teacher leaders
    • Community liaisons
    • Members of the school board, board of education, or school committee that governs the district
    Districts can build capability by sending new teams to the program over three or more consecutive years. To facilitate continuity, teams from districts returning to the program may send one additional past participant beyond the superintendent.
    Participating Companies Have Included:
    Austin Independent School District
    Boston Public Schools
    Chicago Public Schools
    Denver Public Schools
    Los Angeles Unified School District
    Madison Metropolitan School District (Wisconsin)
    Montgomery County Public Schools
    Orange County Public Schools (Orlando)
    Saint Louis Public Schools
    San Francisco Unified School District
    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    Learning and Living at HBS

    When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

    Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    Learning and Living at HBS

    Participating Companies Have Included:
    Austin Independent School District
    Boston Public Schools
    Chicago Public Schools
    Denver Public Schools
    Los Angeles Unified School District
    Madison Metropolitan School District (Wisconsin)
    Montgomery County Public Schools
    Orange County Public Schools (Orlando)
    Saint Louis Public Schools
    San Francisco Unified School District
    Dive Deeper into the Experience
    Play video
    Play video
    Inside the ClassroomInside the Classroom
    See how exchange with faculty and peers yields new insights into critical business trends.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?We Celebrate New Ways of Thinking. Are You Ready?
    Thrive in a learning environment that welcomes diverse ideas and perspectives.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video
    Play video
    Play video
    Discover more about business. And yourself.Discover more about business. And yourself.
    Global perspectives > Leadership growth > Organizational impact.
    Watch the VideoWatch the Video

    When you participate in an Executive Education program on the HBS campus, you enter an immersive experience where every aspect of the learning model has been carefully designed to facilitate your growth. Your learning will take place on your own, in your living group, and in the larger classroom, driven by the renowned HBS case method.

    Review Our Campus Health & Safety Protocols

    Admissions Criteria and Process

    Participation in this program requires that the school district's superintendent or designee submit a letter of interest due by February 28, 2022. For more information, please contact the Public Education Leadership Program at pelp@gse.harvard.edu or +1.617.496.1819.
    Read More
    Dropdown down

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    In March 2022, the PELP staff will reach out directly to your school district's superintendent and designated point of contact to notify you of your acceptance status. At that time, you will be provided further instructions on how to register your eight-member district team.

    Answering Your Questions

    For further assistance, contact: Harvard Graduate School of Education, Carina Traub, Senior Project Manager, Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu; Telephone: +1.617.496.1819, or Program Advising team at: 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555)

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    Admissions Criteria and Process Dropdown down

    Participation in this program requires that the school district's superintendent or designee submit a letter of interest due by February 28, 2022. For more information, please contact the Public Education Leadership Program at pelp@gse.harvard.edu or +1.617.496.1819.

    Application Submission

    We recommend that you apply at least four weeks before the program start date. You may use our online form or download an application. HBS maintains all application information in strict confidentiality. We acknowledge receipt of applications via email. In the unlikely event that you do not receive an acknowledgment, please email us at exed_admissions@hbs.edu or call us at +1.617.495.6226.

    Application Review

    To optimize the learning experience and maximize the exchange of ideas, our Admissions Committee makes selections that balance each participant's experience, scope of current responsibilities, and type of organization. HBS seeks candidates who reflect a broad range of industries, functions, countries, and backgrounds. We review applications monthly and will contact you via email with the Admissions Committee's decision.

    In March 2022, the PELP staff will reach out directly to your school district's superintendent and designated point of contact to notify you of your acceptance status. At that time, you will be provided further instructions on how to register your eight-member district team.

    Answering Your Questions

    For further assistance, contact: Harvard Graduate School of Education, Carina Traub, Senior Project Manager, Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu; Telephone: +1.617.496.1819, or Program Advising team at: 1.800.427.5577 (outside the U.S., call +1.617.495.6555)

    Fee, Payment, and Cancellations

    The program fee covers tuition, books, case materials, accommodations, and most meals. You will be invoiced upon admission to the program. Invoices are due within 30 days of receipt, or upon receipt if the program start date is less than 30 days from the invoice date. If you need to cancel or defer your participation, you must submit your request in writing more than 30 days before the start of the program to receive a full refund. Cancellation or deferral requests received 14 to 30 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of one-half of the program fee. Requests received within 14 days are subject to full payment.

    What You Will Learn

    This rich learning experience features faculty presentations, case studies, and dynamic discussions with faculty and other public education leaders whose insights will help you grow both during the program and well beyond. As you analyze management and leadership best practices in successful school districts, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, you will broaden and deepen your leadership and management capabilities, improve your ability to deliver measurable results—and learn how to establish a culture of high expectations and accountability.

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    What You Will Learn

    This rich learning experience features faculty presentations, case studies, and dynamic discussions with faculty and other public education leaders whose insights will help you grow both during the program and well beyond. As you analyze management and leadership best practices in successful school districts, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, you will broaden and deepen your leadership and management capabilities, improve your ability to deliver measurable results—and learn how to establish a culture of high expectations and accountability.

    Key TopicsExpand AllCollapse All

    Make strategy and coherence concreteMake strategy and coherence concrete
    Dropdown down
    • Understanding how cultures, systems, and environments reinforce one another and support strategy implementation
    • Enabling people at all levels to implement their piece of the strategy
    • Envisioning and managing districts as integrated systems with interdependent parts that directly link to the classroom
    • Establishing a collaborative process for designing plans that principals and teachers can use effectively
    Attract and retain the best peopleAttract and retain the best people
    Dropdown down
    • Developing and managing human capital
    • Recruiting the best people for hard-to-staff schools
    • Aligning the recruiting process with the district strategy
    • Improving leadership capabilities at all levels
    Manage for high performanceManage for high performance
    Dropdown down
    • Building strategies for effective, long-term administrative performance
    • Applying performance data to guide decisions and measure accountability
    • Allocating resources to support strategic goals
    Create a culture of performanceCreate a culture of performance
    Dropdown down
    • Establishing a culture of performance that values results more than efforts
    • Analyzing data to improve performance
    • Motivating the best teachers and administrators to take on the most challenging assignments

    Key Topics Dropdown up

    Key Topics Dropdown down

    Make strategy and coherence concrete

    • Understanding how cultures, systems, and environments reinforce one another and support strategy implementation
    • Enabling people at all levels to implement their piece of the strategy
    • Envisioning and managing districts as integrated systems with interdependent parts that directly link to the classroom
    • Establishing a collaborative process for designing plans that principals and teachers can use effectively

    Attract and retain the best people

    • Developing and managing human capital
    • Recruiting the best people for hard-to-staff schools
    • Aligning the recruiting process with the district strategy
    • Improving leadership capabilities at all levels

    Manage for high performance

    • Building strategies for effective, long-term administrative performance
    • Applying performance data to guide decisions and measure accountability
    • Allocating resources to support strategic goals

    Create a culture of performance

    • Establishing a culture of performance that values results more than efforts
    • Analyzing data to improve performance
    • Motivating the best teachers and administrators to take on the most challenging assignments

    The HBS Advantage

    Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

    Faculty Cochairs
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham

    Jennifer Perry Cheatham

    Harvard Graduate School of Education:

    Senior Lecturer on Education

    Read Full Bio

    John Jong-Hyun Kim
    John Jong-Hyun Kim
    John Jong-Hyun Kim

    John Jong-Hyun Kim

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    General Management

    Read Full Bio

    Faculty
    Amy C. Edmondson
    Amy C. Edmondson
    Amy C. Edmondson

    Amy C. Edmondson

    Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Monica C. Higgins
    Monica C. Higgins
    Monica C. Higgins

    Monica C. Higgins

    Harvard Graduate School of Education:

    Kathleen McCartney Professor of Education Leadership

    Read Full Bio

    Jal Mehta
    Jal Mehta
    Jal Mehta

    Jal Mehta

    Harvard Graduate School of Education

    Read Full Bio

    Monique Burns Thompson
    Monique Burns Thompson
    Monique Burns Thompson

    Monique Burns Thompson

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Organizational Behavior

    Read Full Bio

    Dropdown down Dropdown up

    The HBS Advantage

    Our Executive Education programs are developed and taught by HBS faculty who are widely recognized as skilled educators, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors. Through their board memberships, consulting, and field-based research, they address the complex challenges facing business leaders across the globe.

    Faculty Cochairs
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham
    Jennifer Perry Cheatham

    Jennifer Perry Cheatham

    Harvard Graduate School of Education:

    Senior Lecturer on Education

    Read Full Bio

    John Jong-Hyun Kim
    John Jong-Hyun Kim
    John Jong-Hyun Kim

    John Jong-Hyun Kim

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    General Management

    Read Full Bio

    Faculty
    Amy C. Edmondson
    Amy C. Edmondson
    Amy C. Edmondson

    Amy C. Edmondson

    Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management

    HBS Unit:
    Technology and Operations Management

    Read Full Bio

    Monica C. Higgins
    Monica C. Higgins
    Monica C. Higgins

    Monica C. Higgins

    Harvard Graduate School of Education:

    Kathleen McCartney Professor of Education Leadership

    Read Full Bio

    Jal Mehta
    Jal Mehta
    Jal Mehta

    Jal Mehta

    Harvard Graduate School of Education

    Read Full Bio

    Monique Burns Thompson
    Monique Burns Thompson
    Monique Burns Thompson

    Monique Burns Thompson

    Senior Lecturer of Business Administration

    HBS Unit:
    Organizational Behavior

    Read Full Bio

    Download Brochure
    Download Brochure
    Download Brochure
    Program content, dates, schedule, fees, technology platforms, and faculty are subject to change. In accordance with Harvard University policy, Harvard Business School does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex or sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Participants on Spangler Quad, HBS campus, Executive Education
    Public Education Leadership Project Brochure
    Download the program details.
    Learn More
    Download Brochure
    Program Finder
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
    Participants on Spangler Quad, HBS campus, Executive Education
    Public Education Leadership Project Brochure
    Download the program details.
    Learn More
    Program Finder
    Download Brochure
    Need Help? Contact Us:
    Ms. Carina Traub
    Email: pelp@gse.harvard.edu
    Telephone: 1.617.496.1819
    Send a Letter of Interest
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