Success in today’s economy requires more than academic knowledge—young people need creativity, adaptability, initiative, and problem-solving. The latest NFTE policy brief examines how entrepreneurial mindsets grow when teachers are equipped to teach innovatively and students have authentic opportunities to present and refine their ideas.
Drawing on data from more than 1,200 students and 50 teachers, the research highlights three key findings: students who present their ventures multiple times see the greatest mindset growth; teacher confidence with project-based pedagogy drives student outcomes; and full use of NFTE’s curriculum produces stronger results, particularly for first-time learners. The evidence is clear: when teachers are empowered to teach creatively, students are empowered to act creatively.
The brief offers concrete policy recommendations—investing in teacher professional development, expanding student engagement opportunities, and supporting flexible models of implementation—to help scale these practices. Together, these steps ensure young people develop the entrepreneurial mindsets needed for college, careers, and lifelong success.