Welcome to the IEP Colombia 2011 Study Trip Blog!

From March 12-20, 2011, twelve students from the International Education Policy program of Harvard University's Graduate School of Education will be participating in an academic study trip to Colombia. Planned in coordination with HGSE Professor Cecilia Maria Velez, former Minister of Education of Colombia, the study trip is designed to help participants gain insight into both the educational policy-making process and the different and innovative policy initiatives implemented in the
Colombian education system over the last twenty years.

The program of the trip includes visits and discussions with:

• the Ministry of Education to discuss general policy planning as well as program development for special groups;
• concession schools in the peri-urban areas of Bogota (Colombian charter schools);
• teacher training institutes;
• the Colombian teachers' union;
• the national testing authorities;
• schools implementing public-private partnerships to improve internal management;
• schools using innovative curricula for displaced children; and
• the administration of the Secretary of Education of Cartagena.

Stay tuned for more updates about the trip preparations and visits!