Center for the Study of Education Policy

Emphasizing Research that Matters

The Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) brings the results of research into the everyday world of educators, governmental leaders, and policymakers on the current and emerging policy issues affecting early childhood, K-12, and higher education.

Recommendations by CSEP for updates to Illinois Principal Preparation Requirements (Note: Active links in PowerPoint)

ICPEA Memo

COVID-19 Toolkit

COVID19 - Resources, Articles and Reports

COVID19 - Recovery Resources

In memory: Dr. Diane Rutledge, school and district leadership champion

The Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP) at Illinois State University remembers Dr. Diane Rutledge, a longtime Illinois education leader, collaborator, and advocate whose work helped shape school and district leadership policy and practice across the state.

CSEP Launches Education Horizons, a New Bi-Monthly Foresight Series for the P-20 Education Community

The first issue, “Why Today’s Staffing Model No Longer Fits Today’s Schools,” publishes August 2026 and invites educators into a growing community built around seeing change before it becomes crisis.

Three females standing in front of DeGarmo Hall

Education policy leaders return to Illinois State to launch next era of research and partnerships

Drs. Erika Hunt (left) and Lisa Hood (right), with Pam Hillyard (center), are leading a new era of growth for Illinois State's Center for the Study of Education Policy (CSEP).

In memory: Dr. Charles E. Morris, Jr.

Dr. Charles Edward Morris, Jr., age 92, was born September 30, 1931, and passed away August 11, 2024.

CSEP congratulates two LEAD Ed Partners: Regional Office of Education #17 and Regional Office of Education #19

Congratulations to two of the Center for the Study of Education Policy's LEAD Ed Partners, Regional Office of Education #17 and Regional Office of Education #19, who in collaboration with ROE partners #1, 21, 28, and 50, have received Education, Innovation and Research (EIR) grants from the U.S. Department of Education.

All Center News

New White Paper - Tapping into Type 75 Certificate Holders to Immediately Address the Leadership Shortage Crisis in Illinois' Schools
New White Paper - Leadership Hubs: A Statewide System of Support for Education Leaders
New White Paper - Recommendations for Principal Prep and Development
LaHood, Davis Announce $4.3M Grant Award to Illinois State University's Center for the Study of Education Policy.

Reforming Principal Preparation at the State Level: Perspectives on Policy Reform from Illinois

Edited by Erika Hunt, Alicia Haller, Lisa Hood, and Maureen Kincaid

Illinois Partnerships Advancing Rigorous Training (IL-PART) Toolkit