Strengthen Educator Expertise

WestEd experts are keeping their eyes on several issues that will impact teaching and learning in the years to come. Read their insights on the role of AI, literacy testing, assessment literacy and reporting, and state and local accountability.

Recently, the Palo Alto Unified School District and WestEd collaborated to update the process of determining middle school student readiness for accelerated mathematics. The partnership helped to create broader opportunities for students interested in advancing their high school, college, and career readiness.

For over 20 years, WestEd's Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (CSAA) has supported states, districts, and schools in designing fair, student-focused assessment systems. We offer expert advice on policy changes, research and innovative solutions, and custom plans to improve assessments that meet accountability goals.

How can educators ensure that literacy screening benchmarks truly measure student progress? Mariann Lemke, an assessment research and evaluation expert at WestEd, explains the complexities of literacy screening benchmarks and stresses the importance of using diverse data sources for accurate assessment.

In November 2025, student performance data from the California Science Test (CAST) and the California Alternate Assessment (CAA) for Science will be integrated as an accountability indicator in the California School Dashboard. This brief aims to assist educators in understanding how to interpret and utilize these new data to enhance science education.

State summative assessments play a key role in accountability and student learning. Andrew Bell, an assessment expert at WestEd, discusses how to align teaching with academic standards and offers insights for effective preparation.

Learn how Louisiana's LEAP 360 diagnostic assessments gauge student readiness and mastery through diverse test items in English language arts and math. LEAP 360, developed with WestEd's expertise, emphasizes targeted support and standardized evaluation methods.