NPEF’s Thriving Schools Framework is a research-based framework that identifies six conditions present in schools where all students thrive. Its purpose is to offer language, concepts, and goals that educators, families, city leaders, and community members can share and use to talk about what's working, what's possible, and what we're working toward together. In Spring 2026, NPEF heard from over 50 MNPS educators in focus group conversations to share practitioner wisdom on how the framework plays out in our schools.

A Culture of Collaboration is one of the six conditions in NPEF’s Thriving Schools Framework, which aims to offer language, concepts, and goals that educators, families, city leaders, and community members can share and use to talk about what's working, what's possible, and what we're working toward together. In Spring 2026, NPEF heard from over 50 MNPS educators in focus group conversations to share practitioner wisdom on how each condition plays out in our schools.

An Inclusive and Supportive School Culture is one of the six conditions in NPEF’s Thriving Schools Framework, which aims to offer language, concepts, and goals that educators, families, city leaders, and community members can share and use to talk about what's working, what's possible, and what we're working toward together. In Spring 2026, NPEF heard from over 50 MNPS educators in focus group conversations to share practitioner wisdom on how each condition plays out in our schools.

The presence of Engaging and Relevant Education Experiences is one of the six conditions in NPEF’s Thriving Schools Framework, which aims to offer language, concepts, and goals that educators, families, city leaders, and community members can share and use to talk about what's working, what's possible, and what we're working toward together. In Spring 2026, NPEF heard from over 50 MNPS educators in focus group conversations to share practitioner wisdom on how each condition plays out in our schools.

Resource Alignment is one of the six conditions in NPEF’s Thriving Schools Framework, which aims to offer language, concepts, and goals that educators, families, city leaders, and community members can share and use to talk about what's working, what's possible, and what we're working toward together. In Spring 2026, NPEF heard from over 50 MNPS educators in focus group conversations to share practitioner wisdom on how each condition plays out in our schools.

One of the most prevalent areas of focus in the 2026 legislative cycle was the state’s voucher programs, which provide public dollars to families opting to enroll their child in a participating private school instead of their local public school district. Our infographic breaks down the need-to-know voucher bills that had an impact on accountability, access, and transparency.

In 2016, Tennessee changed its definition of “economically disadvantaged” students in response to new federal policy that required reporting on this demographic but lacked clear direction on how to do so. Paired with a desire to not overcount this student population, this policy change prompted Tennessee to begin using a stricter definition that would ultimately have significant implications for public school funding.