Transform your education system by tailoring interventions to your specific context, blending deep local insights with evidence-based research.
Today’s students are entering a world defined by rapid technological advancement, global interconnectedness, and evolving workforce demands. Yet, education systems were not built for this kind of complexity.
Preparing young people to thrive in this dynamic environment requires more than updated programs or tools—it demands a fundamental redesign of how our systems function.
Too often, school improvement efforts focus on isolated interventiona—new curricula, technology platforms, or professional development—without addressing the broader systems that shape and sustain success. This leads to fragmentation, fatigue, and initiatives that don’t stick.
Designing Systems That Work (DSTW) offers a more strategic path. It helps districts build coherence, sustainability, and future-readiness into the fabric of their systems—so that every transformation effort is aligned, supported, and built to last.
At the heart of DSTW are two core components:
- The DSTW Approach: A step-by-step design process that takes teams from identifying priorities to designing and implementing sustainable solutions.
- DSTW Offerings: Flexible entry points—Discovery Analysis, Benchmarking Lab, and Design Pathways—designed to support districts at any stage of their transformation journey.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore system change or ready to act on clearly defined priorities, DSTW meets you where you are and helps you build what’s next.
Download the Brochure
Four Flexible Phases. One Transformative Journey.
Focus
Establish a shared vision and strategic foundation.
- Clarify long-term priorities
- Assemble a cross-functional leadership team
- Co-create a flexible, goal-aligned work plan
Discover
Learn from your system—and from the world’s best.
- Investigate one or more priority areas in depth
- Benchmark current practices against global exemplars
- Identify key opportunities for high-impact change
Design
Co-create bold solutions tailored to your goals.
- Explore a range of design scenarios—Bold, Bolder, Boldest
- Select from ready-to-launch Design Pathways or co-develop a custom one
- Create a detailed, actionable plan for implementation
Deliver
Translate design into sustained impact—with expert support.
- Strengthen district leadership and implementation capacity
- Align systems and strategies for coherence and scale
- Embed structures for continuous learning and improvement
Reimagine What’s Possible
Choose a pre-designed pathway or partner with NCEE to create a fully customized design aligned to your strategic goals.
Future-Ready Learner Profile
Define the skills and mindsets your students need to thrive—and co-create a shared vision of success.
Future-Ready Learning Model
Design instructional models that bring your vision to life in every classroom.
Modernizing Career-Connected Learning
Build integrated, future-facing career pathways aligned with a changing economy and evolving workforce.
Thinking Differently About Time
Rethink how time is used to support deeper learning and educator collaboration.
Custom Design
Blend elements or create something entirely new to match your context.
Audience(s)
District and school administrators, teacher leaders, teachers, community, business and civic leaders
Duration
Weeks, months, or up to multiple years depending on depth
Delivery Method
Hybrid: in-person and virtual