The MIT School Access and Quality (SAQ) Fellowship is a one-year program for education leaders focused on improving education equity.
Equitable enrollment policies help ensure that all children, regardless of their background, can access high-quality educational opportunities. During the first three cohorts, the Fellowship has influenced the enrollment opportunities of over 3.5 million students and their families.
SAQ Fellows learn best practices, leverage each other’s knowledge, and problem solve together, gaining the tools necessary to implement more equitable, fair, and efficient enrollment policies. Through in-person and virtual programming, the Fellowship connects enrollment leaders with academic researchers and policy experts.
Fellows join from public school districts, state education agencies, charter management organizations, and nonprofit organizations from across the country.
Programming focuses on pressing enrollment topics that are determined by each cohort’s unique interests. The Fellowship includes a range of in-person and virtual programming, including:
In-person programming
Virtual programming
Virtual communications
Through our scheduled programming and conversations with one another, Fellows will learn how to:
“Seeing how other cities were tackling different aspects of progress in reform helped bolster my sense of possibility. I really valued being able to connect with others doing work along the unified enrollment spectrum across the country.” Lisa Gibes de Gac, Oakland Enrolls, 2021-2022 Fellow
Fellows join from public school districts, state education agencies, charter management organizations, and nonprofit organizations. Their diverse backgrounds and expertise enrich each cohort. Fellows are empowered to enact changes in their respective regions. Alumni are also encouraged to continue participating in events.
Enrollment leaders face growing challenges: enrollment in public schools nationwide is in decline, students are increasingly disengaged from school, and school access continues to be inequitable. Despite these challenges, enrollment systems present a powerful lever to enhance equity, and leaders need a community of practice now more than ever.
Many districts have inequitable enrollment systems and lack the knowledge and resources to implement evidence-based policies. Rigorous research on enrollment reform and successful model initiatives around the country stand to improve school access for students nationwide. The Fellowship equips Fellows with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complex landscape of enrollment reform and develop more equitable systems that help all students and families access schools.
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