National Center on Education & the Economy - NCEE

When passionate leaders come together, the room comes alive with energy, laughter, and shared purpose. This is NISL NEXT in motion, and we can’t wait to keep learning and leading forward together. Learn more about the experience for System and School Leaders → ncee.org/nisl/

What does it truly take to build and sustain a world-class education system? Today, NCEE releases its 2026 Global High Performers, identifying the education systems delivering sustained excellence across the full learner life course. Drawing on analysis of 83 education systems worldwide, ten jurisdictions stand out for combining strong academic outcomes with long-term economic and societal success. “By lifting up these global pillars, we offer both a benchmark and a roadmap for systems everywhere,” says CEO @drvickip. Among the ten High Performers, NCEE has awarded three Badges to the systems that best exemplify: 🔰 Excellence: Singapore 🔰 Equity: Hong Kong 🔰 Efficiency: Ireland At a moment when nations are rethinking how education connects to opportunity, workforce readiness, and well-being, these systems offer powerful lessons for the future of learning. 🔎 Explore what sets them apart: bit.ly/3PlXQgr @Education_Ire @MOEsg

El Dorado County, California, is building a shared approach to the future of learning and the work is gaining momentum. Over the past year, the El Dorado County Office of Education has brought together superintendents, principals, school boards, and district teams to learn from one another and get clearer on what students need for the future. Through retreats, school visits, and leadership convenings, districts are building trust, sharing challenges, and moving forward together while still maintaining local control. This work continues to grow. In 2026, the county will take the next steps toward a shared learner profile, stronger leadership development, and more consistent teaching and learning across schools. What stands out is the commitment to doing this work together. Each district keeps its identity, but there is a growing sense of alignment across the county. This is one of our 10 Stories of Purpose and Hope, and a reminder that meaningful system change happens when leaders learn together and stay focused on what matters most for students.

"The most powerful antidote to fear is hope." Chief Global Strategy & Research Officer Tracey Burns invites leaders to be inspired by what is working in education. Educators across the world are engaging with these ideas. Watch the conversation. ncee.org/webinar-human-…

We echo the gratitude sentiment of @PANeedsTeachers. Reimagining Teaching was written by @TeachPlusPA Policy Fellows: #ClassroomTeachers and #EdLeaders who brought lived experience, policy expertise, and a deep commitment to students into this work. It offers models that could lead to better teacher retention and improved instructional quality and outcomes for students. Read the full report and explore their recommendations here: bit.ly/4aVUnfY

83 education systems. New global insights. Join international leaders from Finland, Singapore, Estonia, and the U.S. as we explore what the world’s best systems are doing differently. 🎥 Reserve your seat for this global conversation. bit.ly/4ddpXZ1

The future of school leadership is accelerating in Mississippi this year. In partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education and the Phil Hardin Foundation, 49 superintendents from districts across the state are coming together for the Mississippi Superintendent Institute: NISL NEXT. With cohorts for both new and veteran superintendents, these leaders are reconnecting with their purpose, rediscovering their voice, and reimagining what is possible for Mississippi’s children. Their work together integrates inner growth with outer impact, so that every superintendent has the tools to address the challenges of today and to design student-centered systems built for the world of tomorrow. As one superintendent put it, “This is the part of leadership you cannot find in a traditional program." This is one of our 10 Stories of Purpose and Hope: If you want to see the next era of superintendent leadership, look to Mississippi.

At NCEE, we believe the future belongs to leaders who can imagine, design, and build systems that prepare all learners to thrive. We think you'll find that this piece speaks to education, workforce, and civic leaders. We'd love to hear your take. 🔗 bit.ly/4tv7flm

The @PANeedsTeachers report continues to generate coverage across the state. One new piece highlights research on how strategic staffing approaches can help strengthen teacher recruitment and retention. bit.ly/47nzjxG

During a recent visit to the Idaho STEM Leadership Academy, students invited us into their learning. The room was buzzing as teams walked us through their designs, the challenges they encountered, and how they worked together to solve them. Seeing students engaged in this kind of hands-on, collaborative work is a powerful reminder of what learning can look like when students are given the space to explore, build, and solve real problems. Thank you to this incredible group of students and educators for welcoming us into your classrooms.

Congratulations to Dr. Dan Courson on being named Superintendent of Paradise Valley Unified School District. bit.ly/4s9DPs7 Dr. Courson has been a valued member of the NISL community and a leader we’ve been fortunate to learn alongside. The story of PVSchools’ work to strengthen leadership and learning across the system is captured in this case study: ncee.org/the-pvschools-…

We know that learning can happen anywhere and at any time. But leadership development must be intentional. NISL NEXT creates a national peer network where leaders: • Reflect on defining moments • Practice new leadership tools • Strengthen resilience • Build shared language for leadership See how leaders grow through NISL NEXT →ncee.org/nisl/

We love seeing photos like these. 👇 Students, families, educators, community partners, board members coming together to define what every EDUHSD graduate should know and be able to do. Portrait of a Graduate work starts with conversation, collaboration, and a shared vision for the future. We're honored to partner with this community as the journey begins. 📸 EL DORADO UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

North Kitsap, Washington, and Guam are thousands of miles apart, but they are tackling the same challenge: how to build a curriculum that truly fits the students and communities it serves. In Guam, elementary and middle school science teachers launched a pilot supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation to strengthen their ability to adapt project-based learning to the island's local context, drawing on open resources and custom collaborative AI tools. In North Kitsap, a collaboration supported by College Spark Washington is bringing together the Suquamish Tribe, the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe, and district educators to co-design interdisciplinary, place-based learning units aligned to state standards. The high school series is expected to be completed in 2026. In both places, the work starts with a simple idea: curriculum is stronger when local voices help shape it. This is one of our 10 Stories of Purpose and Hope, and a reminder that when local voices help shape learning, it becomes more relevant, more engaging, and more meaningful for students.

What does it take to build an education system that delivers more than strong test scores? Join us next week to explore new analysis of 83 education systems worldwide and hear directly from leaders in Finland, Singapore, Estonia, and the United States. We'll consider policy choices, system design decisions, and leadership moves that help education systems deliver lasting results for learners and societies alike. 🗓️ Thursday, March 19th at 11 am ET Be part of the conversation: Save your spot or get the link straight to your inbox. 🌐 bit.ly/4cCGXb8

Mark your schedule to join us at @SXSWEDU! Hear from Holdsworth President Lindsay Whorton and @CtrEdEcon CEO Vicki Phillips what shared school leadership models look like in Texas and around the globe. 📅: schedule.sxswedu.com/events/PP11621… #SXSWEDU #schoolleadership #teacherleaders

As schools and districts look ahead to the coming year and begin hiring new teachers, staffing is top of mind across the country. Alongside the practical work of recruiting and onboarding, there is also an opportunity to step back and reflect on the bigger picture. Thinking Differently About Strategic Staffing highlights how high-performing systems design roles, time, and support so teachers can build long careers. A timely read for schools and districts planning for next year. 📘 bit.ly/46PQp7K

“The aspect of leadership that I think that we need the most is also the one that we have the most challenge with: courage. It takes a lot of courage to be leading in this environment right now.” - Melanie Stewart, The University of British Columbia Don't miss this conversation about what it would look like if education prepared learners not only to succeed, but to contribute to thriving communities, resilient economies, and a sustainable planet. Watch the full webinar recording here: bit.ly/4ryvb6b

We are grateful to sit amongst students and #EdLeaders grappling with what it looks like to move from student voice 1.0 and student voice 2.0. “What gives leaders permission to act radically inside systems that reward compliance?” “Are we designing for students, or with them?” “What do we risk by telling the truth about what school isn’t doing—and what do we risk by staying silent?” This is the power of an intergenerational network.

School choice is evolving rapidly across the United States. This monograph offers a global perspective to inform U.S. dialogue—not by advocating for or against school choice, but by examining how design matters. 🔎 Featuring in-depth case studies from Australia, Chile, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the brief illuminates how context, accountability, and system design all shape outcomes. 📄 Read the full brief: ncee.org/school-choice-…