The MIT School Access and Quality (SAQ) Fellowship is a one-year program for education leaders focused on improving education equity.
Equitable enrollment and school performance policies help ensure that all children, regardless of their background, can access high-quality educational opportunities.
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 and school performance policies. Through in-person and virtual programming, the Fellowship connects enrollment leaders with academic researchers and policy experts.
Applications for the 2025–2026 Fellowship are now open and will close on July 9, 2025.
Fellows join from public school districts, state education agencies, charter management organizations, and nonprofit organizations from across the country.
Programming focuses on pressing enrollment and school performance 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:
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. Meanwhile, school quality information is not always accessible, accurate, or equitable. 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 and school performance policies and successful model initiatives around the country stand to improve school access and education equity for students nationwide. The Fellowship equips Fellows with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complex landscape of enrollment and develop more equitable systems that help all students and families access schools.
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