PR/Marketing: The Education Trust

Internship Information


**We are now accepting internship applications for the summer and fall. To ensure full consideration, please submit all summer applications by March 15, 2008 and all fall applications by July 15, 2008 **

About the Education Trust

The Education Trust works for the high academic achievement of all students at all levels, pre-kindergarten through college, and forever closing the achievement gaps that separate low-income students and students of color from other youth. Our basic tenet is this: All children will learn at high levels when they are taught to high levels.

The Education Trust advances its mission along several fronts, from raising its voice in national and state policy debates to helping teachers improve instruction in their classrooms. Regardless of where it occurs, our work maintains a relentless focus on improving the education of all students, and particularly those students whom the system has traditionally left behind.

Internship Program

The Education Trust internship program is for individuals who believe that ALL students can achieve at high levels and want to work as part of a team committed to that goal. The program is designed for undergraduates, recent graduates and graduate students who are capable of doing staff-level work under minimal supervision. Interns are treated as members of the staff and are expected to perform a wide variety of tasks.

Interns work in close consultation with designated Education Trust staff to develop and execute projects that will advance the organization’s agenda while allowing interns to broaden their professional skills and experiences. Intern projects are based on intern qualifications and interests as well as the needs of the organization. Currently, we are seeking interns for the following areas:


Higher Education

Assist with projects such as the following:
o Preparing for the P-16 State Teams Summer Institute. This annual meeting is designed to bring P-12 and higher education leaders from around the country together to focus on three key issues: alignment, enhancing P-16 data systems, and teacher quality. Specific duties will involve developing workshop and plenary sessions, corresponding with speakers and meeting participants, and preparing meeting materials;
o Identifying, researching, and preparing new analyses related to our interactive web tool, College Results Online.


K-12 Policy and Data

Assist with projects such as the following:
o Collecting, analyzing, and presenting the most up-to-date data on student achievement trends and the opportunities that all students—and in particular low-income students and students of color—are given to learn;
o Researching and documenting state- and district-level assessment and accountability policies;
o Reading and evaluating policy and academic research relevant to The Education Trust’s policy agenda.


Teacher Quality

Assist with projects such as the following:
o Tracking the most recent research, completing notes, creating PowerPoint slides for data shows;
o Identifying promising practices by tracking places (districts, schools) tackling the problem of the maldistribution of teachers;
o Creating a database of research and places focused on teacher quality issues from which we can learn;
o Preparations for national conference and teacher quality sessions;
o Analyses of the distribution of teacher quality to low-income and minority students;
o Working on a paper on “value-added” and teacher effectiveness.


Communications and Government Affairs – looking for a minimum of a 6-month commitment for this internship position.

Assist with projects such as the following:
o Monitoring and tracking media coverage, opinion leader commentary, and other reports about various K-12 and higher education issues;
o Researching a wide range of education policy and achievement gap issues;
o Developing and disseminating related materials designed to convey our message about closing achievement gaps in clear and compelling fashion.


*Note that specific tasks and projects may change depending on the needs of each team during the period of the internship.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the Web site (www.edtrust.org) to find out more about our work in these areas.

Internships last for 10 weeks and include a modest stipend. Academic credit can be arranged through the intern’s sponsoring institution. Interns are expected to work at least 20-35 hours per week depending on needs and schedules.


Qualifications and Experience:

Applicants should posses the following qualifications:

• Knowledge of education policy and/or practice
• Interest in, and familiarity with, quantitative data interpretation and analysis
• Self-motivation and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Eagerness to learn
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Application Process

Applications should include the following:
• Resume
• Cover letter (this must include availability, specific area of interest as it relates to current openings listed above, and whether you are interested in the summer or fall internship)
• Writing sample (no more than five pages; sections from a longer paper are fine)

Please send applications to intern2008@edtrust.org or fax to 202-293-2605, attention: HR, Intern 2008.

The Education Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages diversity in all facets of the organization’s work.