International Education Policy

Intensive Preparation for the Study of International Education (IPSIE)

IPSIE August 4th – 22nd 2008

The Intensive Preparation for the Study of International Education (IPSIE) Program is a three week is a non-credit summer course designed to prepare students for their year in the IEP program. The program introduces students to the core teaching methodologies used at HGSE, the central problems of theory and practice in the field, and helps to strengthen analytic, conceptual and study skills and competencies important to academic success at Harvard. Program content will include sessions in microeconomics, statistics, international education, and academic writing. As an integral part of this preparation, students will have an opportunity to develop working relationships with classmates and members of the faculty as well as time to get acquainted with the vast resources of the HGSE, Harvard University, and the Cambridge-Boston area. Participants will read and discuss cases and other materials, and complete a variety of individual and group assignments.  The work done and the feedback received will help students identify their strengths and implement appropriate strategies to succeed in, and get the most from, the courses that they take in the IEP Program.  Although this program is not for academic credit, each student's Harvard transcript will indicate participation in IPSIE.

"One of the things that convinced me to do IPSIE was the fact that it was a good chance to familiarize myself with the resources (library and other grad schools) available to me.  As an international student, I found it a great way to get to know my cohort."
Jose Cruz, IPSIE 2007

The Program's approach is multidisciplinary by design. The Program assumes that to understand education in local and global contexts we must draw on, and put into practice, multiple perspectives and disciplines. Students will learn how to apply useful frameworks from fields such as social policy, economics, statistics and sociology of education to real cases illustrating contemporary problems facing educational policymakers and leaders worldwide. Core case studies run through all of the program components and ground the multidisciplinary approach to analyzing issues in international education policy.

In addition to its academic components, the program offers a wide array of other activities. Throughout the program students will have opportunities to assess their learning style, to set academic and professional goals, to interact with current and former students, and to join in informal social activities. In regularly scheduled sessions, students will learn more about classmates' cultures, their careers, and the professional challenges they have faced.

General Information

Application

To register for IPSIE, please complete and return a Summer Program Registration Form by June 9th, 2008.

Tuition

"Participating in IPSIE provided me the opportunity to build strong relationships with my fellow students, prepare for the academic challenges that lay ahead and gain insight into the best way to utilize my time at HGSE."
Stacey Mervin, IPSIE 2007

The tuition fee for IPSIE is $2,790. Other costs include reading materials and books, University Health Service fees and applicable health insurance. Tuition and academic costs associated with IPSIE will appear on the term bill of all registered students. It is essential that you secure sufficient funding before you arrive in Cambridge.

Insurance

Massachusetts law requires each student to have health insurance coverage. Harvard University makes Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance available to all students and dependents.

This coverage may be waived for students with an equivalent U.S.-based health insurance policy that meets Massachusetts requirements. In addition to this primary insurance, all students are required to pay a University Health Service fee. Students will register for summer insurance during orientation. For questions about health insurance, contact the Harvard Insurance Office at 617-495-2008.

Housing

IPSIE cannot make housing arrangements. The Harvard University Housing Office provides listings of available on- and off-campus housing. If you visit Cambridge before the summer, bring a copy of your letter of admission to allow you access to the Housing Office. This office also provides a list of local hotels and bed & breakfast inns where you might stay until you have secured permanent housing. Please contact the Housing Office at: 7 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, MA 02138; Telephone: 617-495-3377 

IPSIE Programs and Classes

General Description

There are two types of IPSIE workshops – taught/guided workshops and practice-based workshops. Guided sessions include lectures, small group consultations and discussions with practitioners and experts. To prepare for these sessions, participants must read and analyze research.  They are also expected to develop work products such as short papers, analytic memos, problems sets, and oral presentations. Taught sessions are primarily in the areas of statistics, microeconomics, and international education, each of which meets at least twice per week for approximately 2 hours.  Practice-based sessions include laboratory sessions to apply theories, concepts and technologies, and opportunities to practice the use of English (for English Language Learners).  These sessions are held daily and are generally between one and two hours.

Guided Workshops

International Education Concepts and Theory
In this discussion-based workshop, students will look broadly at the field of international education, including the theme of quality in international education and the role of international organizations (World Bank, UNESCO, etc.) in developing countries. With their classmates, they will study alternative conceptual frameworks for analyzing the educational objectives and activities of these organizations and their impact in developing countries. Students will examine key concepts and develop a command of specialized terminology in the field of international education.

"The IPSIE program afforded me the opportunity to become more familiar with some of the major educational challenges facing countries around the world and to forge closer relationships with my classmates, both of which were extremely important for me."
Eddie Breaux, IPSIE 2007

International Education Research and Policy
In this case-based workshop, students will explore the relationship between research and educational policy. Working in teams, students will investigate an educational problem based on a case study of policy formation in a developing country, read research on that educational problem, and develop a set of policy recommendations to be debated among participants. This workshop prepares students to be critical consumers of education research and use it to inform policy recommendations, while considering potential challenges to policy formulation and implementation.

Statistics and Data Analysis
In this component of the program we introduce the language and concepts of quantitative analysis in real policy analysis and decision-making scenarios. Through a hands-on approach, students become acquainted with basic descriptive statistics, tabular and graphical methods for displaying data, and analytic methods for making comparisons with categorical and continuous data. This workshop helps develop skills necessary for the required IEP statistics sequence.

Microeconomics
This aspect of the program focuses on basic microeconomic concepts and theories and their role in solving educational problems. We especially focus on ways the perspective of economics informs, relates to, and sometimes contradicts the goals of educational equity and access. As in the program's statistics component, participants who already have grounding in economics will be challenged to use this disciplinary perspective in conjunction with case-study analysis.

Practice-based Learning

Technology
These hands on trainings will include an introduction to the GSE computer lab, electronic mail, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and SAS.  Students will actively use these technologies in to support their work during IPSIE and the academic year.

English as a Second Language
This training will provide advanced guidance and support for students for whom English is a second language. Students will learn about the support available to them at HGSE and discuss challenges and expectations regarding both oral and written communication.

Writing
This training will provide support to students in strengthening their academic writing. Students will discuss the format and structure of academic papers, strategies for identifying trustworthy sources of research, and the importance of accurate citation of sources. Students will complete a number of writing assignments including a final IPSIE research paper.

What Will Participants Learn?

"Since I had been out of school for a while, IPSIE gave me the academic preparation I needed to succeed in the IEP program." 
Seda P. Mansour, IPSIE 2007In addition to providing an introduction to the field of international education, participation in IPSIE will support knowledge and skill development in the following areas:

• Writing, Research & Communications
  Students will learn about the various types of writing required at HGSE (memos, literature reviews, case studies, etc.) and receive individual feedback on written assignments.
• Critical Reading
  Participants will be able to question what constitutes legitimate research, sound investigation methods, and effective argument.
• Case Study Discussion
  Participants will be challenged to actively discuss issues raised in cases written about complex, real-life dilemmas and to formulate recommendations for action.
• Negotiation
  Students will raise gain increased awareness of their and others' negotiation styles through group problem-solving and decision-making.
• Enhancing Presentation Skills
  Students will make both group and individual presentations and receive constructive feedback on speaking and presentation skills.
• Academic, Professional & Personal Planning
  Students will learn about opportunities to present at professional conferences, form student organizations, host visiting scholars, and obtain internships to facilitate professional development.

If you are planning to attend IPSIE and need a Harvard-sponsored visa, you must provide financial documentation for the program's estimated tuition and living expenses. Additional information can be found with the financial certification instructions on the prematriculation website. (This site will require a password.)