States Convene to Advance High School Transformation

NASBE’s High School Transformation State Network (HSTSN) gathered last month in Indianapolis alongside partners from KnowledgeWorks and the Carnegie Foundation. Teams from California, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, New York, and Washington convened to center student voice, collaborate across states, and consider how to reshape the high school experience and drive systems change.

HSTSN’s Student Advisory Council opened with a powerful presentation by student board members Michael Keyes (Nevada), Ioannis Asikis (Massachusetts), and Preston Graham (Kentucky). They urged states to rethink graduation requirements to better reflect relevant skills, boost engagement, and expand real-world learning. “School shouldn’t be ‘one size fits all,’ ” Keyes said.

Participants visited Purdue Polytechnic High School, part of nonprofit XQ’s constellation of schools that weave student agency into the fabric of daily learning. “This school is kinetic when it comes to learning,” one student said. The curriculum, driven by student interests and real-world challenges, fosters deep engagement. “We teach students how to think, not what to think,” a staff member said.

Network Advisory Council members tied the visit to broader policy ideas. “If we want flexible schedules and personalized learning, we must rethink how the school day is structured,” said Kristen Ferris of Education Resource Strategies.

Common themes emerged from the state teams: crafting a shared statewide vision, expanding college and career pathways, rethinking assessments to support innovation, and embedding stakeholder feedback. “We want to make sure that whatever we do centers around those we serve—our students,” said Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher.

States also identified next steps. “We are turning this momentum into a statewide plan,” said Linda Darling-Hammond, president of the California State Board of Education.

HSTSN will continue this work into 2026. Subscribe to the network newsletter or contact Celina Pierrottet to learn more.