In collaboration with local authorities, NIES set up five experimental zones in eastern, western, southern, northern and central China to oversee regional educational practices and to direct experiments in educational reform.
● 2008: The Experimental Zone for Comprehensive Education Reform in the Xiacheng District of Hangzhou was launched.
● 2009: The Experimental Zone for Comprehensive Education Reform in the Qingyang District of Chengdu was launched.
● 2009: The Experimental Zone for Comprehensive Education Reform in the Jinzhou District of Dalian was launched.
● 2010: The Experimental Zone for Comprehensive Education Reform in the Nanshan District of Shenzhen was launched.
● 2011: The Experimental Zone for Comprehensive Education Reform in the Yinzhou District of Ningbo was launched.
