Utah Education Policy Center Bridging Research, Policy, and Practice

"University Neighborhood Partners (UNP) is collaborating with UEPC to build a robust, authentic evaluation system for our partnership work with SLC’s west side neighborhoods. Together, we are coming up with new ways to document the breadth, depth, and growth of interconnections between residents, organizations, institutions, and higher ed faculty, staff & students. It has been a collaborative process of co-creating knowledge among evaluators and staff, and will help UNP do it’s best possible work."

–Jennifer Mayer-Glenn, Director, University Neighborhood Partners

"UEPC consultants have been supportive partners, helping us build on our strengths and shore up weaknesses without imposing their own agenda, always respecting our community and identity."

- Angela Rowland, Principal, Utah International Charter School

“As a new director working on school improvement, the Utah Education Policy Center worked with us to develop and implement a series of institutional changes focused on student growth.  It was amazing to work with a team that helped me refine and improve existing ideas and structures while, above all, allowing us to maintain our charter school's unique mission and vision.  Additionally, by understanding and celebrating our school culture, they were able to introduce challenging new ideas that forced us to action.  They were open to learning about us, which in turn helped our staff be much more open to working through school improvement.”

~ Andrew Burt, Principal, Gateway Preparatory Academy

“Through LIFT’s intentional design our school team has increased our instructional leadership capacity and enhanced our best practices by providing a space for collaboration with other schools. Every time I attend a LIFT session, I leave with action steps ready to be implemented the next day as well as learned lifelong practices. Guided by evidenced based research, the UEPC team provides the best professional learning I’ve ever attended. I always leave wanting more!”

~ Meghan Merideth, M.Ed., Head of School, Utah Virtual Academy

The LIFT experience is not like your typical “sit & get” professional development event. LIFT is a collaborative learning experience that allows administrators and teacher leaders to develop leadership capacity through an interactive learning and planning process. The LIFT experience allowed me to hone my leadership skills to become more effective and specialized by applying my learning in targeted areas of the Four Turnaround Domains. I always left LIFT feeling inspired, invigorated, and with a manageable action plan that could be implemented the first day back in the building! The knowledge and relationships gained through the LIFT experience continue to influence my practice today.

~ Christy Fitzgerald, SJSD K-12 School Director

"Our experience with the UEPC team has been phenomenal. Their team members provide consistent support and are dedicated to working with us to create systems of support for afterschool programs. They are true professionals and collaborators in every sense and ensure their services are data driven and are of the highest quality. Without them, we wouldn't have statewide afterschool evaluations, the first ever State of Afterschool Report, nor frameworks and best practices that support afterschool program leaders. UAN and the entire afterschool field is beyond lucky to have such an amazing research and policy organization in our state!"

~ Kelly Riding, MPA, Executive Director, Utah Afterschool Network

Being in turn around I was nervous about bringing in an "outsider" to help us get back on track. We worried that they would bring in ideas and structures that didn't match with our vision. We are so happy that we chose to work with UEPC.  They worked with us to truly understand what was important to Greenwood and then helped us build a plan that made sense for us.  They have been so supportive of our vision, mission and goals as a school.  They are always willing to offer support any time we need it whether it be a phone call, an in person visit, a professional learning class for teachers, or tools that will help us with what we are grappling with.  We have loved working with UEPC and highly recommend them!

~ Tracey Nelson, School Director, GreenWood Charter School

“Thank you for trusting us to come and learn and implement--The jobs we do are intense, and busy, and critical.  Knowing that this academy was not ‘just one more thing,’ but a valuable piece of moving the work forward.”

– Participant, Salt Lake City School District Leadership Academy

“Thank you for making LIFT a positive experience. I leave feeling rejuvenated instead of defeated! The time for action planning is crucial to complete prior to returning to the whirlwind of the school, so please keep that as part of the experience.”

– Participant, LIFT

“I have felt empowered and like my voice matters.  This experience has made me push myself and seek new opportunities for professional growth.”

– Participant, Salt Lake City School District Leadership Academy

“I am so grateful for this opportunity to learn these principles from such knowledgeable people. I so appreciated the nurturing care that was given as I was learning and felt no judgment when I felt overwhelmed or inadequate. Great instructors!”

–Participant, Salt Lake City School District Leadership Academy

"UEPC has been a lifesaver! Their employees have made the process of reporting on our DODEA grant simple and manageable.  They are responsive to the needs of our particular situation. Their work and collaboration is timely and accurate."

- Douglas Forsgren, Principal, Hill Field Elementary

"UEPC provides indispensable evaluative services that help guide and shape our program. The insight they provide is of critical value – both to our students and our institution.”

-Anita Mitchell and Jean Bower, Biotechnology, Salt Lake Community College