About the Center

The Center for Education Policy and Law (CEPAL) is a joint undertaking of the USD School of Law and the School of Leadership and Education Sciences. Established by a grant from the William D. Lynch Foundation in 2007, the center’s mission is to foster better linkage between educational research, policymaking, and practice by:

• Undertaking commissioned empirical and legal research on education policy issues at the local and state levels;
• Enhancing communication between education leaders and local and state-level policymakers; and
• Facilitating understanding among USD law students and education graduate students about the policymaking process through courses, internships, and research opportunities.

To assist CEPAL in its work, an Advisory Board of distinguished membership has been established. A group of affiliated faculty members from both schools is available to conduct legal research and both quantitative and qualitative educational research.