Education systems face significant challenges in preparing students for a globalized and technology-driven future. While some countries have made progress, many still need help with equity, quality and relevance. Incremental change is insufficient – bold reforms informed by international best practices are required.
The National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) has extensively researched top-performing systems worldwide. Their goal is to identify strategies to help some nations outperform on benchmarks. 2016 NCEE published the “9 Building Blocks” framework distilling these strategies. After further study, they developed an updated “Blueprint” model.
The NCEE Blueprint: An Overview
The NCEE Blueprint retains the robust research foundation of the original 9 Building Blocks framework but refines it based on additional years of comparative study. The updated framework outlines ten interdependent building blocks that world-class education systems develop in an integrated way:
- Shared Vision, Goals, and Commitment
- High Standards and Expectations for All
- Curriculum and Assessments Aligned to Standards
- Great Teachers and Leaders
- Targeted Support for Students Needing It Most
- School Autonomy with Accountability
- Data and Transparency
- Funding that is Fair and Efficient
- World-Class Instructional Systems
- Engaged Communities
The following sections will examine eight blocks in the Blueprint, providing international examples and recommendations. By understanding this research-backed framework, systems worldwide can work to strengthen their foundations and build toward world-class status over time.
Building Block 1: Shared Vision, Goals, and Commitment
At the core of any high-performing system lies a clear and compelling vision of what an educated citizen should know and be able to do. Top nations establish shared goals and priorities through collaborative processes involving educators, employers, policymakers, and communities. There is widespread commitment to these aims across all levels.
For example, Finland’s vision emphasizes equity, lifelong learning, well-being, and academic success. Its goals are periodically revised through open national dialogues. Singapore’s vision is to develop “thinking schools with thinking students” who can thrive amid rapid change. Both countries have maintained excellence for decades by keeping visions relevant and rallying commitment to everyday purposes.
Recommendations:
Engage diverse stakeholders in crafting an inspiring long-term vision focused on student outcomes rather than inputs like funding or compliance.
Conduct regular reviews and revisions through transparent processes to keep the vision forward-thinking.
Communicate goals relentlessly and recognize exemplars to cultivate ownership across systems.
Building Block 2: High Standards and Expectations for All
World-class systems establish clear, rigorous standards defining what students must know and be able to do at each grade level. The standards emphasize core academic skills alongside social-emotional competencies and emphasize higher-order thinking. Expectations are equally high for all students regardless of background.
Shanghai, for instance, has internationally benchmarked standards covering content mastery and “quality-oriented” education, developing well-rounded graduates. Standards are made public, and teachers receive extensive support in implementing them effectively.
Recommendations:
Benchmark standards against top international performers and focus on skills beyond rote memorization.
Communicate standards transparently and provide robust support and resources for teachers.
Maintain high expectations for all students through strengths-based approaches versus tracking into tiers.
Building Block 3: Curriculum and Assessments Aligned to Standards
World-class curricula are carefully designed and sequenced to help students meet standards. They emphasize depth over breadth and promote creativity. Assessments authentically measure progress toward standards using diverse methods beyond standardized tests.
Singapore redesigned its curriculum around 21st-century competencies like collaboration. Canada emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurship. Both assess via portfolios, projects and international benchmarks – not just multiple-choice tests.
Recommendations:
Ensure curricula systematically build essential knowledge and skills defined in standards.
Incorporate real-world applications, digital literacy, and higher-order skills into curricula.
Use varied assessments (portfolios, performances, internships) to gauge progress on standards authentically.
Building Block 4: Great Teachers and Leaders
Top systems recruit top talent into teaching and develop them into educational experts. Teachers receive ongoing support through collaborative professional learning and coaching. Principals are designed as solid instructional leaders responsible for student success.
Only the top 5-10% of university graduates in Shanghai are selected to teach after mastering content and pedagogy. Teachers study intensively and are mentored throughout their careers. Principals are developed through a multi-year leadership academy.
Recommendations:
Recruit top-third graduates into teaching and provide competitive compensation.
Require rigorous teacher preparation and multi-year induction with expert mentoring.
Develop principals as leaders of learning through selective recruitment and ongoing training.
Building Block 5: Targeted Support for Students Needing It Most
While standards are high for all, world-class systems provide additional time and support tailored to individual student needs. Early interventions address challenges before they undermine learning. Extra assistance is available to those facing socioeconomic, linguistic or other barriers.
Ontario implements individualized learning plans for every child. Finland focuses resources on schools serving disadvantaged communities. Both use data-driven approaches to pinpoint needs and monitor the impact of interventions.
Recommendations:
Identify at-risk students early and implement evidence-based interventions.
Deploy tutoring, mentoring, extended day/year programs and social services as needed.
Continuously assess the impact of support and adjust strategies based on student response.
Building Block 6: School Autonomy with Accountability
High-performing systems allow schools to innovate and hold them strictly accountable for student success. Schools have autonomy over budgets, staffing, curriculum and assessment. In return, they must meet transparent performance targets.
In Singapore, schools develop specialized programs under national standards and take ownership of the results. Underperforming schools receive intensive support or restructuring. Top-ranked schools mentor others through networks.
Recommendations:
Devolve operational authority to schools but retain system-level standards and oversight.
Base accountability on student growth and outcomes rather than inputs alone.
Provide assistance and consequences proportional to need while spreading excellence.
Building Block 7: Data and Transparency
World-class systems leverage data to improve continuously. Student performance data is publicly reported and used to benchmark progress, identify strengths/weaknesses, and guide decision-making. Systems also share best practices transparently.
Shanghai conducts detailed annual school reviews incorporating student work samples, classroom observations and interviews. Japan publishes school report cards and improvement plans online. Both enhance continuous learning through a data-driven culture of openness and reflection.
Recommendations:
Collect robust, timely data on multiple measures beyond test scores.
Report actionable data publicly to empower communities and spread excellence.
Institutionalize the use of evidence to guide strategic planning, resource allocation and professional development.
Read More: Impact of Oxford Owl in Advancing Early Childhood Education
Building Block 8: Funding that is Fair and Efficient
Top performers like Finland and Singapore fund education based on student needs rather than local property taxes. They invest heavily and strategically in areas with the highest returns, like early childhood programs and teacher training. Administrative costs are kept low.
Finland allocates over 80% of funding directly to schools, with only 5-7% spent on administration/oversight. Singapore spends 30% more per disadvantaged student to address equity. Both achieve top PISA scores at below-average costs.
Recommendations:
Distribute funds based on student/community needs, not geography.
Prioritize investments in areas with the most robust evidence, like early learning.
Streamline administration and governance to maximize classroom spending.
Conclusion
By understanding the research and practices driving success in top-performing systems worldwide, all countries can progress toward developing world-class, equitable and future-focused education models. The NCEE Blueprint provides an evidence-based framework for systemic reform, highlighting the interconnected policies, structures, mindsets and partnerships that must be integrated.
