The Educational Policy Institute, Inc., (EPI) is an international organization dedicated
to the study of educational opportunity. Four organizations reside under the EPI
International banner:
- Educational Policy Institute
(US), a non-profit organization based in Virginia Beach, Virginia
- EPI Canada (CAN), a for-profit subsidiary of the Educational Policy
Institute based in Toronto, Ontario
- EPI Australasia (AUS), a for-profit organization governed by the
Educational Policy Institute based in Melbourne, Australia
- EPI Consulting (US),
a for-profit US subsidiary and SBA-approved organization of the Educational Policy
Institute, which conducts client-based services commensurate with the mission of
the parent organization, based in Virginia Beach, Virginia
EPI is a collective association of researchers and policy analysts from around the
world dedicated to the mission of enhancing our knowledge of critical barriers facing
students and families throughout the educational pipeline. In addition, EPI has
developed extensive partnerships and collaborative arrangements with other leading
research and educational organizations, further supporting our mission and ability
to conduct policy-relevant research for practical use.
EPI was formed in 2002 by Dr. Watson Scott Swail, an internationally-known researcher
and current president of the organization. Dr. Swail started EPI to fulfill a need
for more rigorous educational research and to create better linkages between research
and public policy. Much of the focus of our work is on the perspective of individuals
from low-income backgrounds, who are of color, and who have physical and cognitive
disabilities. This is because these constituents have the least voice in public
policy discussions. As well, because public policy does often target these populations
in programs, there is a great need for better research to determine what strategies
are most effective in helping lift youth to a better tomorrow.
In addition, EPI conducts much of its research on access to “quality” educational
opportunities. We focus on quality because the question of educational access is
only important if that access is to a quality situation. That isn’t always the case.
We also do much work on access to and success through postsecondary education, since
the global society increasingly demands skill sets that require learning and training
past compulsory school. Our interest in financial aid is an example of our commitment
to understanding the impact of finance on educational access and success.
Since 2002, we have established a Toronto office under the leadership of Mr. Alex
Usher, who also serves as Vice President of EPI. Dr. Ian R. Dobson opened and operates
our EPI Australasia office in Melbourne.
Associated EPI websites:
To contact EPI, email info@educationalpolicy.org
or phone (757) 271-6380.
