In 2019, the Madera Unified School District started a journey. It began examining how it educates students by working its way through The National Center on Education and the Economy's research on high-performing education systems from around the globe (and some here in the United States). In partnership with NCEE, a Madera Unified team – comprising the superintendent, cabinet administrators, school board members, principals, school staff, district representatives from the California Teachers Association, and stakeholders from the local community – came together to undertake this multi-year process to building its own world-class schools.

Learn about NCEE's Blueprint for a High-Performing Education System

As part of this vital work, the Madera team reviewed the promise it made to its students in its vision, mission, and belief statements. The district team then looked at those statements against current and future global trends impacting student readiness for careers and college.

Finally, through guided exploration of the characteristics of high-performing education systems guided by NCEE, the Madera team analyzed the district itself. This resulted in the "Focus Five": five areas for particular attention over the next three years.

Read about The "Focus Five."

See the System Design partnership in action:
Artifacts from the stakeholder meetings led by NCEE.