Culturally and linguistically responsive assessment practices reflect authentic and diverse student experiences, interests, and values. Learn why these assessments are valuable and why creating them is easier than expected.

WestEd develops and supports high-quality assessments that align with standards, curricula, and federal requirements. Our goal is to improve outcomes for all learners by meeting the needs of educators and centering students in our work.

Attend sessions led by WestEd’s assessment experts on critically important issues in assessment today. Our staff will present fresh ideas and solutions for practitioners, developers, and researchers to consider in the coming years.

Learn about one state’s efforts to build a balanced assessment system from the bottom up, as recommended by the National Research Council’s Board on Science Education and Board on Testing and Assessment.

Sarah Quesen, Deputy Director of WestEd’s Assessment Research and Innovation program, shares insights on norm-based and criterion-referenced scores, the differences in how they describe student growth, and implications for interpreting scores after the pandemic.

Many children start school needing extra academic support to thrive in grades K–2. Early grade assessment systems can help schools and districts ensure young learners receive the help they need to succeed in K–2 and beyond.