Policy Fellow

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY

The Education Trust - Tennessee (EdTrust-Tennessee) seeks a Policy Fellow to join our Policy & Research team. The Fellow will join a staff committed to fulfilling our mission of closing opportunity gaps that disproportionally affect students of color and students from low-income backgrounds.

The Fellow will have the exciting opportunity to support an ambitious, equity-driven research and policy agenda and immerse themselves in Tennessee’s education policy and advocacy landscape. Fellows are integral team members who will support and shape research projects that increase their professional skills and experiences. By the end of this fellowship, this person will have multiple externally published written products for their portfolio, deeper expertise in our policy agenda priorities and relationships with partners, stakeholders, and institutions in Tennessee and beyond. During the 2026-2027 fellowship, research project topics could include school finance, financial aid for higher education, assessment and accountability, high school to college transition, equitable and safe access to AI, and math.

EdTrust is committed to advancing policies and practices to dismantle the racial and economic barriers embedded in the U.S. education system. Through our research and advocacy, EdTrust improves equity in education from preschool through college, engages diverse communities dedicated to equity and justice, and increases political and public will to build an education system where all students will thrive.

This is a 12 month, full-time (at least 30 hours per week) fellowship, available July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The role is based in our Nashville, Tennessee office and is eligible for telework per our current policy (i.e., up to 3 days of telework per week). The Fellow reports to the Senior P-12 Policy Analyst.

ABOUT THE INTERN ROLE

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

·       Monitor, analyze, and track P-12 and higher education policy developments in Tennessee related to EdTrust priority issues to inform our policy strategy

·       Analyze bill progress, debates, and amendments in relevant committees in the Tennessee General Assembly, and support legislative summaries to inform internal and external legislative monitoring resources

·       Collect and analyze local, state, and national education data to support policy, research, and advocacy efforts

·       Produce written products (e.g., fact sheets, memos, reports, blog posts, and presentations) to advance our policy agenda

·       Advance a research project through a full legislative session, supporting with original research, data analysis, and stakeholder engagement.

·       Collaborate with partners, stakeholders, and institutions across the education policy landscape

·       Conduct data analysis and research in response to inquiries from a variety of internal and external stakeholders

IDEAL SKILLS AND CHARACTERISTICS

·       Shared belief in EdTrust’s mission and a commitment to improving educational equity, with a focus on racial equity

·       Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·       Ability to translate complex legislation, data, research, and policy to a variety of audiences

·       Willingness to receive and act upon constructive feedback

·       Ability to organize, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

·       Attention to detail and ability to multitask

·       Ability to take initiative and be self-directed

·       Comfort working both independently and collaboratively

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

·       Experience and/or strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative data collection, management, analysis, and visualization, including advanced Excel, Tableau, and STATA

·       Experience and/or strong understanding of P-12 and/or higher education federal, state, and local contexts and levers that affect the Tennessee education policy landscape

·       The Fellow may be in the last year of pursuing their Bachelor’s degree, in a Master’s degree program, or a recent graduate focused on education policy or a related field.

COMPENSATION

The Fellowship will be paid at an hourly rate between $19 and $30 per hour based primarily on the candidate’s level of education and our Fellow pay scale. Fellow pay is not negotiated to maintain internal equity.  

EdTrust prioritizes the health and well-being of its employees and, to that end, offers a highly competitive benefits package. Fellows are eligible for medical, dental and vision insurance covered at 100%, with significant coverage also offered for spouses, domestic partners, and dependents.  Fellows accrue sick leave and vacation leave, and we follow the federal government for most holiday closures. To ensure staff have synchronous opportunities for rest and renewal, the office is closed for a week-long summer break and a week-long winter break. Fellows are also eligible for our Employee Assistance Plan. 

QUALIFIED CANDIDATES, PLEASE APPLY

EdTrust is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds. 

To Apply: Please complete the application in ADP, including uploading your resume and responding to the short answer questions in lieu of a cover letter.

Salary : $19 - $30