2026 NIET Research Summary

The 2026 NIET Research Summary features five rigorous studies examining the impact of NIET’s services on teachers. Each study includes a brief discussion of the rationale, key findings, and implications for practice. Drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources, these studies provide evidence on how NIET’s TAP System, teacher leader development, collaborative professional learning, and teacher evaluation system build educator excellence.

Key findings from these studies include:

• Teacher satisfaction with the TAP System is linked to their intent to remain in their school system.
• Strong teacher leadership improves effectiveness across the broader teaching staff.
• Participants in the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows program strengthen coaching practices and shift leadership mindsets.
• Professional learning is more likely to be applied when it includes individualized coaching and alignment with evaluation goals.
• The NIET Teaching and Learning Standards Rubric distinguishes variations in teacher performance and is positively associated with student outcomes.

Collectively, these findings offer practical, evidence-based guidance for strengthening teacher effectiveness, leadership development, and school improvement. They will inform how NIET refines and scales work with schools and districts nationwide. Explore the full summary to learn more.