Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS)
entry by Julie M. Marx, Global Family Expert at Expat Valley
The Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) is a non-profit, global membership organization that supports internationally minded schools, their leaders, and educators through professional learning, advocacy, and networking opportunities.
Comparable terms
Council of International Schools (CIS, accreditation and membership body); International Baccalaureate (IB, curriculum organization); Association for the Advancement of International Education (AAIE, professional network)
Why this matters
This term matters because ECIS is one of the longest-standing and most influential professional bodies in international education, shaping standards, professional development, and discourse for global schools. Understanding ECIS helps global family professionals navigate which conferences, publications, and training ecosystems most influence international schools’ policies and practices. It is also a key partner for initiatives related to inclusion, child protection, and wellbeing in international schools.
Cross-references
FIGT (Professional Bodies); International School (Education); IB (Education); Transition Program (Education); Learning Support (Neurodiversity & Medical Complexity Abroad), CIS (Professional Bodies); Tri-Association (Professional Bodies); AAIE (Professional Bodies); AISA (Professional Bodies); CEESA (Professional Bodies); EARCOS (Professional Bodies); WASC (Professional Bodies). ECIS interacts closely with these entities by offering professional learning to international schools, participating in FIGT-style cross-sector conversations, and influencing how schools design transition programs, learning support, and IB-aligned pathways for globally mobile students.
Sources
ECIS. About ECIS. 2026; ECIS website. Hammer, M., Bennett, M., Wiseman, R. 2003. Measuring intercultural sensitivity: The Intercultural Development Inventory. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 27, 421-443.
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