Building Knowledge and Skills to Support the Future of California
The California Policy Collaborative hosts e-learning courses and a relationship-building learning community to support legislative staff as they build foundational knowledge, skills, and connections.
Our Mission
The California Policy Collaborative’s mission is to build the policy knowledge, expertise of and connections between policy staff through accurate and relevant content coupled with engaging, enriching and fun experiences, all for the ultimate benefit of California’s children and communities.
Professional Policy Learning Communities for Legislative Staff
The California Policy Collaborative approach builds on the science of adult learning and is grounded in the unique needs of legislative staff. Our program improves state policymaking by helping participants gain:
- Core knowledge of California’s policy systems
- Essential skills necessary to succeed in a legislative staff role related to policy
- A peer learning community supported with flexible e-learning and in-person meetings
About Our Courses
Early Care and Learning
In California Policy Collaborative’s early care and learning course, learning community participants will explore state and federal child care, preschool, Transitional Kindergarten and after school policy. Topic areas include California child demographics and well being indicators, governance, finance, workforce, program design, facilities and data system. The online course modules are paired with in-person learning among a cohort of peers.
TK-12 Education Policy
The TK-12 Education Policy course is designed to build foundational California TK-12 policy knowledge. Topic areas include California student demographics and student outcomes, education system governance, finance, facilities, workforce, standards, assessments, system of support and accountability. The online course modules are paired with in-person learning among a cohort of peers.
The California Policy Collaborative Learning Experience
Independent Study
Explore relevant, engaging content using an online learning system that allows cohort members to work at their own pace in preparation for corresponding in-person convenings.
Social Events
Participate in networking opportunities intended to build comradery and support relationship-building with fellow legislative staff while applying course material.
Engagement with Experts
Engage in interactive, inquiry-based activities with leading California education experts, including senior policy staff, researchers, practitioners and other stakeholders to exercise and amplify skills learned during each module.
Criteria for Legislative Staff Participation
Courses are conducted annually during the legislative recess, from October to December. The application period to enroll in these courses will occur when the Legislature returns from summer recess. Check back in once applications are available.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Legislative staff
must work in the California State Capitol. These courses are, particularly well suited for staff who work for members of the Legislature that engage on early care and learning and/or TK-12 education policy.
Be Passionate About Education Policy in California
and shaping early care and learning and TK-12 education systems policy to better serve for future generations in California.
Can Participate Three Days a Month for Three Months
in hybrid learning for three months during the legislative recess (between October – December).
Interest in Earning Continuing Education Units
from the University of California, Davis, for completion of the course.
Already Enrolled in a Course?
If you are already enrolled in a California Policy Collaborative course, you can login using the link below to resume learning.