
About the Coalition
Since 2004, the focus of our work has been to develop networks of school districts and school district leaders that are focused on eliminating achievement and attainment disparities.
Our members share a commitment to ensure that all students have equal opportunity to access high-level, meaningful, and engaging learning experiences, while actively eliminating institutional barriers in district and school policy and practice that limit or deny this access.





Leadership
Director Tomea Sippio-Smith (left) and Associate Director Dayna Muñiz (right) lead the Coalition for Educational Excellence at Catalyst @ Penn GSE at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education. Sippio-Smith has extensive leadership experience in education policy, advocacy, and coalition building. Muñiz leverages her program development, technical assistance, and equity-focused practice experience. Together, they provide innovative programming, resources, research-based training, technical assistance and consulting to school district leaders, educators, and staff in the mid-Atlantic region.
Penn GSE Consortia
Since their inception in 2004, the Penn GSE Consortia have served well over 200 districts. We have partnered with multiple County Intermediate Units in Pennsylvania, Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York, the College Board, the Pennsylvania State Education Association, the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators, the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, and the Educational Testing Service to systemically address achievement and opportunity gaps from a big-picture perspective.
Membership in the Penn GSE Consortia offers:
- Evidence-based professional learning from nationally-recognized scholars and practitioners.
- Innovative strategies for addressing district-school organizational and instructional issues, and opportunity gaps for students.
- Leadership learning opportunities for middle and high school students of varying abilities.
- Enhanced recruitment of panoptic administrators and teachers.
- Support in the development and implementation of opportunity-informed district strategic plans.
- Sharing of leadership and learning experiences.
- Regular, active collaboration with other consortium districts to examine policies and share promising practices.
Friday Virtual Chat: Doctoral Edition
Join the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for a virtual session to explore our doctoral programs. Gain valuable insights into the admissions process, available financial aid opportunities, and the student experience at Penn GSE.
Friday Virtual Chat: Master's Edition
Join the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for a virtual session to explore our master’s programs. Gain valuable insights into the admissions process, available financial aid opportunities, and the student experience at Penn GSE.
Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. Virtual Information Session
Join us for an information session to explore the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. program.
Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. Virtual Information Session
Join us for an information session to explore the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. program.
Friday Virtual Chat: Master's Edition
Join the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for a virtual session to explore our master’s programs. Gain valuable insights into the admissions process, available financial aid opportunities, and the student experience at Penn GSE.
Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. Virtual Information Session
Join us for an information session to explore the Executive Doctorate in Higher Education Management, Ed.D. program.
Delaware Valley Consortium for Excellence (DVCE)
Founded in 2004, DVCE currently serves school districts and other entities in Greater Philadelphia and Delaware.
Job Board
Are you looking for work in the field of education? Please connect with us about the DVCE job board – a community resource for job postings.
New Jersey Consortia for Excellence (NJCE)
In partnership with the New Jersey Association of School Administrators (NJASA), we are providing support to school districts in the North, South, and Central regions of the state.
Contact UsTomea Sippio-Smith, Director Dayna Muñiz, Associate Director |