Professional Education

PPE is Now Online for an International Audience

Online Program: Leading Education Systems at the National Level

Media Contact: Karen Signorelli, karen_signorelli@gse.harvard.edu

CAMBRIDGE, MA, December  9, 2011—Programs in Professional Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education announced the return of Leading Education Systems at the National Level, an online leadership development program designed for an international audience. Taking place January 23-March 2, 2012, the program encompasses the same rigorous curriculum, peer-to-peer learning and professional growth as those delivered on the Harvard campus, but is attended virtually. The six-week online program is designed for education leaders from a broad range of countries, and takes an in-depth look at the types of policy and practice that ensure a quality education for all students. In addition to watching lectures, reading case studies and completing assignments, attendees will participate in live discussions with HGSE faculty and their fellow classmates.

Curriculum Design and Program Structure

Leading Education Systems at the National Level provides weekly modules that will help participants uncover the key issues their organization needs to develop an action plan. Each module will consist of carefully chosen readings, e-lectures delivered by Harvard faculty, guided small-group sessions, and live online sessions with faculty and teaching fellows. The course is interactive and dynamic, translating the benefits of an in-person learning experience to an accessible, online format.

Who Should Attend

Given the accessibility of this course, education leaders spanning a broad range of geographical and organizational backgrounds are invited to attend. Leaders of education ministries, universities, education-related NGOs and foundations, as well as individuals in management education roles within their countries will benefit from the discourse and curriculum.

Program Details

Applications for Leading Education Systems at the National Level: Effective Policy and Practice for Improving Outcomes are now being accepted online. All applications received before December 19, 2011 will receive a $50 tuition discount. Application deadline is January 6, 2012. For additional program information or to apply, visit www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/lesn. 

About the Faculty

Led by faculty chair, James Honan, Senior Lecturer on Education at HGSE, the faculty lineup features a wide range of expertise. Honan has spent years as a consultant on strategic planning to universities and schools across the country and around the world. Katherine Merseth, also a Senior Lecturer on Education at HGSE and Director of the Teacher Education Master’s Program possesses over 40 years of experience in instruction, administration and research in public education in the United States and internationally.

They will be joined by Fernando Reimers, the Ford Foundation Professor of International Education at HGSE and Director of the International Education Policy Program who specializes in determining how to support quality teaching in systems where access to schooling has expanded rapidly. Finally, Thomas Cassidy, former director of the International Education Group at HGSE will bring his 20 years of experience working with ministries of education, as well as a background in large-scale international education reform. Together, they will form a powerful team, guiding attendees through the process of building effective school infrastructures at every level.

About the Harvard Graduate School of Education

For more than 40 years, the Harvard Graduate School of Education has offered professional programs for educational leaders. We are committed to offering programs that make a difference—in the lives of students, in the work of institutions and in the practice of educators. Professional Education at the HGSE achieves its mission in three principal ways: professional education programs, capacity-building projects and services and research-based initiatives. For more information, visit www.gse.harvard.edu/ppe/programs/index.html.