Educational Policy Improvement Center

What it reported doing in 2024

Program service accomplishments (2024-2025)during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the organization advanced its mission to strengthen educational systems through applied research, technology development, and cross-sector collaboration focused on instructional quality, professional learning, and whole-child school design.edutech: instructional technology & professional learningthrough its edutech work, the organization partnered with college board to support the ongoing implementation and continuous improvement of the ap course audit, with a focus on strengthening instructional coherence and equity across advanced placement programs nationwide. This work included contributing to the refinement of audit processes and the development of new technology course frameworks.in parallel, the organization advanced the design and piloting of new professional learning technology focused on high-quality project-based learning, supporting educators in designing authentic, inquiry driven learning experiences aligned to rigorous academic standards and durable skill development. These tools are intended to help educators translate standards and course expectations into coherent, student-centered instructional practice.edulytix: research, evaluation & applied learning sciencesthrough its edulytix research and evaluation arm, the organization conducted applied evaluation and learning studies with the orange county department of education and other educational agencies, supporting system improvement efforts related to instructional quality, student engagement, and equity centered implementation. This work emphasizes formative evaluation approaches that help agencies learn from implementation while strengthening decision-making and continuous improvement.the organization also continued its research collaboration with the international baccalaureate organization, contributing to studies examining instructional design, assessment, and student learning experiences within ib programs. In addition, the organization initiated an emerging research partnership with james madison university to support future joint research efforts focused on instructional improvement, educator learning, and the conditions that support high-quality teaching and learning.portico: community schools & systems alignmentthrough its portico initiative, the organization supported districts, county offices, and regional partners across California in advancing community schools implementation. This work centered on using the four pillars of community schools: collaborative leadership, integrated student support, expanded and enriched learning opportunities, and family and community engagement as a shared framework for defining what constitutes a great school.portico's work intentionally positioned the community school's framework as a point of convergence for interrelated stakeholders, including school boards, labor partners, districts, county offices of education, and community-based organizations. By aligning these groups around a common definition of quality and shared responsibility, the organization helped reduce fragmentation and strengthen system coherence in support of student success.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 69.9%; rating input score 70
• Program expense ratio: 76.4%; rating input score 76
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 92.3%; rating input score 92; 10th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Missing
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Pass
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 6 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Fail
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 4.1%; rating input score 48; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.56; rating input score 20; 20th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.15; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 31.3%; rating input score 5; 5th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: -3.1% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: -1.8% per year; rating input score 0; 7th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: -1.6% per year; rating input score 0; 8th percentile among comparable filings