Assessment & Standards Development Services

>> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Assessment & Standards Development Services

DIRECTOR Known for creating assessment systems that are valid, fair, and aligned with rigorous Stanley N. Rabinowitz standards, the Assessment & Standards Development Services (ASDS) program provides state and national policy guidance on building aligned student, school, and OFFICE educator accountability systems. 730 Harrison Street San Francisco, California ASDS develops assessments for both general education and special populations, and 94107-1242 conducts alignment studies, standards reviews, and research on access of standards and assessment for all student populations. ASDS assessment and standards reviews CONTACT range from language arts, mathematics, science, and social science to emerging fields Stanley N. Rabinowitz such as college and career readiness. [email protected] tel: 415.615.3154 The National Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation, housed within ASDS, fax: 415.615.3200 supports states' transition to new standards and assessments for college readiness. In addition, ASDS is the Project Management Partner for the Smarter Balanced Assessment ONLINE Consortium—the first collaboration of its kind to develop a common assessment system WestEd.org/asds among a majority of states aligned to the Common Core State Standards.

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RR Awarded the Center on Standards and Assessment WestEd Helps National Academy Foundation Implementation, cementing WestEd's status as national Launch Innovative Assessment System leader in standards and assessment policy, research, and The National Academy Foundation (NAF) announced a implementation. new, rigorous certification system based on an innovative assessment design by WestEd and collaboration with RR Supported the implementation of the Common Core State industry experts. Standards regionally and nationally. NAF is a network of more than 500 high school academies RR Continued to serve as Project Management Partner of the across the United States serving more than 60,000 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, a multistate students studying finance, hospitality & tourism, information assessment system aligned to the Common Core State technology, and engineering. Standards. To earn NAF certification, students must successfully RR Developed California's English Language Development complete rigorous project-based work, proctored exams (ELD) Standards in collaboration with the California aligned with standards for college and career readiness, Department of Education and the California Comprehensive and work-based learning assignments. The entire student Center. These standards will impact the learning of millions certification assessment system will be delivered online. of children in California and serve as a model for ELD standards nationwide. WestEd Helps Bring Free, Rigorous Online Teaching Tools to Florida Teachers RR Supported several states in developing Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver applications designed Florida's CPALMS system is already the official online to implement fairer, technically sound state and local source for state K–12 education standards and course accountability systems that will reward success and information. Florida is applying Race To The Top grant support research-based innovation. money to expand the system, and hired experts from WestEd to help align its content with the Common Core State Standards. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Assessment & Standards Development Services

Edynn Sato, Director of Research and English Language Learner Assessment at WestEd, is co-lead on the alignment Selected Research & project. She and her team will study how formative assessment tasks in the Florida system align to the Evaluation Studies Common Core State Standards. An Analysis of Utah's K–3 Reading Improvement Program They will also provide professional development to educators who, in turn, will create professional Utah's Superintendent of Public Instruction asked WestEd development toolkits for formative assessment that all to review district and charter school participation. teachers statewide can use. Comparing Achievement Trends in Reading and Math Across Arizona Public School Student Subgroups This study examines the academic performance of Arizona Selected Services schools receiving Title I funds in order to help the Arizona Department of Education revise its school support system. Alignment and Linkage Studies for General and Special Population Assessments and Standards WestEd helps states and districts better understand their assessment and standards systems for all their students. Selected Projects

English Language Development Standards: Center on Standards and Assessment Development, Linkage, and Professional Development Implementation (CSAI) This service helps state education officials develop English CSAI provides services, tools, and other resources to language development standards and link to academic regional Comprehensive Centers and states in order to help content standards. states' transition to new standards and assessments for student college readiness.

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Selected Resources WestEd is the Project Management Partner for the multistate Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (Smarter Accommodations for English Language Learner Students: The Effect of Linguistic Modification of Math Test Item Sets Balanced)—the first collaboration of its kind to develop a common assessment system that is aligned to the Alternative Assessments for Special Education Students in the Common Core State Standards. Southwest Region States

Comparing Achievement Trends in Reading and Math Across Arizona Public School Student Subgroups

Framework for High-Quality English Language Proficiency Standards and Assessments

The Relationship Between English Proficiency and Content Knowledge for English Language Learner Students in Grades 10 and 11 in Utah >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Center for Child & Family Studies

DIRECTORS The Center for Child & Family Studies (CCFS) is dedicated to helping children get J. Ronald Lally a healthy and intellectually rich start in life, with a particular focus on children and Peter L. Mangione families living in poverty, dual language learners, and those with disabilities or other

OFFICE special needs. 180 Harbor Drive, Suite 112 CCFS is a leader in promoting high-quality, research-based early care and education Sausalito, California services, and its work informs national, state, and local child and family policies. 94965-2845 For the California Department of Education (CDE), WestEd leads the development of CONTACT the California Early Learning and Development System components—foundations, Peter L. Mangione curriculum frameworks, formative assessments, program guidelines, and professional [email protected] development programs. CCFS led the development of similar early education resources tel: 415.289.2310 for other states. fax: 415.289.2301 CCFS’s acclaimed Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) is the most widely used ONLINE training system for infant and toddler caregivers in the country, and PITC DVD/video WestEd.org/ccfs and print materials are distributed worldwide.

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RR Developed for the California Department of Education WestEd’s Mangione Takes Quality Child the Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework; California Care Message to Singapore Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 2; and Infant/ WestEd’s Peter Mangione traveled to Singapore to deliver Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Cognitive Development and the keynote address on quality early care and education Learning, 2nd Edition. at the annual early education conference conducted by the Singapore Ministry of Community Development, RR Collaborated with Educare Learning Network to develop Youth and Sports. training materials, implementation guides, webcasts, online workgroups, and seminars for Educare. While in the country, Mangione also trained early childhood teachers, trainers, and caregivers in the Program for Infant/ RR Offered PITC Home Visiting training to home visiting Toddler Care (PITC) approach. PITC teaches educators, practitioners, supervisors, and managers across the country. caregivers, and parents how to get in tune with an infant RR Provided Teaching Pyramid training to early educators to to establish a connection and respond to the child’s needs support appropriate behavior, prevent challenging behavior, and interests, promoting development and learning. and address problematic behavior of children. “It’s important to build a relationship with the baby and RR Developed, in collaboration with Berkeley Evaluation follow his cues,” says Mangione, Co-Director of the Center Assessment Research, the Desired Results Developmental for Child & Family Studies at WestEd. Profile–School Readiness© (DRDP-SR©) for the California Department of Education. CCFS is supporting the Illinois WestEd’s Harvey and Lally Write Editorial on Early Childhood Care State Board of Education’s adaptation of the DRDP-SR as the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) in all Waiting until children reach school age before we attend to Illinois public schools that offer kindergarten. their ability to learn is waiting too long. That’s the message of a Mercury News opinion piece written by WestEd CEO RR Launched For Our Babies, a national movement to improve Glen Harvey and Ron Lally, Co-Director of the agency’s the way America supports infants and toddlers. Center for Child & Family Studies. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Center for Child & Family Studies

The human brain grows to 85 percent of its adult size between birth to 3 years of age. This unique development Selected Resources period is the time to create a healthy emotional, social, and intellectual foundation for life. For Our Babies: Ending the Invisible Neglect of America's Infants According to Harvey and Lally, later attempts to correct early developmental problems are more costly and less Getting to Know You Through Observation effective than supporting healthy development at the start. Infant and Toddler Spaces: Design for a Quality Classroom

WestEd’s PITC Team Conducts Study Tour in Italy Infant/Toddler Learning & Development: Program Guidelines Peter Mangione and Alicia Tuesta led a study tour of the Power of Preschool in Santa Clara County: Making the First internationally acclaimed Municipal Infant Toddler Centers Five Years Count and Preschools of Reggio Emilia. Participants worked with Reggio Emilia leaders, teachers, and pedigogistas learning Preparing Our Infant and Toddler Professional Workforce for about the operation of their infant/toddler centers and how the 21st Century: An Action Plan for the District of Columbia they observe, document, and plan their daily interactions with babies.

In Pistoia, the study group visited infant/toddler centers, Selected Projects discussing their community engagement and innovative environments. Pistoia is also well-known for the unique Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) ways very young children participate in groups and the role PITC is a comprehensive training system that promotes peers play in early learning. responsive, caring relationships for infants and toddlers.

Desired Results Development, Training and Technical Assistance Project Selected Services The DRDP Training and Technical Assistance team provides training on research-based assessment instruments and Home Visiting the PITC Way supports statewide implementation of infant/toddler, The Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) prepares home preschool, and kindergarten entry assessments. visitors to support parents in understanding, promoting, and delighting in their children’s healthy development. E3 Institute: Advancing Excellence in Early Education The E3 Institute supports and strengthens early childhood Child Assessment professional development through education, recruitment, WestEd develops child assessment systems, trains and financial incentives. practitioners to implement the assessments, and also conducts program assessments.

PITC Trainer Institutes The PITC Trainer Institutes help educators, program managers, and caregiver trainers give high-quality care for all children. PITC Partners for Quality provides on- site training and coaching for early care teachers on a responsive, relationship-based curriculum. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Center for Prevention & Early Intervention

DIRECTOR The Center for Prevention & Early Intervention (CPEI) provides training and technical Virginia L. Reynolds assistance in policy development, translation of research to practice, systems evaluation, and implementation of evidence-based practices in support of children and OFFICE youth (birth through age 22) with, or at risk for, disabilities. 1000 G Street, Suite 500 Sacramento, California CPEI partners with state and local education and human service agencies to build 95814-0892 capacity to improve service systems and developmental and academic outcomes, and promote a comprehensive, integrated approach. CONTACT CPEI’s areas of expertise include social and emotional development, early mental Deborah Pollard [email protected] health, academic and behavioral strategies for success through Response to tel: 916.492.4011 Intervention, and inclusive practices across community and school settings. fax: 916.492.4004 Early Start Online, designed and implemented by CPEI, is an interactive and facilitated professional development series for professionals working with infants and toddlers ONLINE with disabilities and their families. WestEd.org/cpei

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RR Enhanced CPEI’s visibility for expertise regarding WestEd Improves Teachers’ Capacity to Serve implications of Common Core State Standards applied to Young Children With Special Needs instruction for students with disabilities. The California Inclusion and Behavior Consultation Network (CIBC) helps early childhood education program RR Designed and implemented Early Start Online, an staff ensure that young children with special needs, interactive and facilitated professional development series developmental concerns, or challenging behaviors are for professionals working with infants and toddlers with included in community-based preschool programs. disabilities and their families. In 2012, CIBC delivered 343 on-site consultations, RR Supported the California Department of Education's launch surpassing its goal of 270. Through ongoing recruitment, of the Family Engagement Framework, which received wide more than 100 individuals are qualified to provide on-site acclaim and requests to excerpt content and translate into CIBC consultation statewide, including to rural programs. Spanish as online tools. A formal evaluation indicated that CIBC is meeting its goal RR Launched the California Center for Infant-Family and to increase early childhood education providers’ capacity to Early Childhood Mental Health website for experts in serve young children effectively. Specifically, 100 percent of both California and nationwide in infant and preschool the teachers surveyed said they felt more prepared to use mental health. constructive inclusion and behavioral practices after their RR Developed an implementation manual for educators to help CIBC consultation. them increase access to general education for students with disabilities. WestEd Evaluates How California’s New Home Visiting Program Reaches Families The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is implementing a federally funded home visiting system—the California Home Visiting Program—through the Affordable >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Center for Prevention & Early Intervention

Care Act. CDPH turned to the Center for Prevention & Early Intervention at WestEd to evaluate the program’s Selected Resources effectiveness. Family Support Guidelines for Effective Practice CPEI staff are examining the factors that engage high-risk families and keep them involved in home visiting programs. Finding the Words, Finding the Ways: Exploring Reflective Supervision and Facilitation They also are evaluating how attrition from programs is related to the characteristics of the child, mother, and Parents’ Rights: An Early Start: Guide for Families family, home visitor, organization, and/or community. Social and Emotional Well-Being: The Foundation for School Findings will be key in developing and/or identifying Readiness successful strategies that engage and retain families, and improve organizational and system processes, and program Starting Out Together: An Early Intervention Guide for Families and individual sites. Teaching English Learners and Students with Learning Difficulties in an Inclusive Classroom: A Guidebook for Teachers Selected Services Achievement for All: Response to Selected Research & Intervention (RTI) Services This service is designed to improve achievement for Evaluation Study students with disabilities and other students who struggle Training Early Intervention Assistants in with learning. California’s Community Colleges California Inclusion and Behavior This study examines California’s efforts to foster preservice Consultation (CIBC) Network preparation of early intervention assistants for infants and The CIBC Network helps early care and education toddlers with special needs through the Community College providers across California better promote inclusion of Personnel Preparation Project. children with disabilities and other special needs, including challenging behaviors. Selected Projects Early Start Institute Series The Early Start Institute series helps ensure that a Community College Personnel Preparation Project qualified, trained cadre of professionals is available This project provides technical and fiscal support to throughout the state to serve infants and toddlers with community college child development programs to infuse disabilities and their families. early intervention competencies into curricula.

Least Restrictive Environment Resources (LRE) Project LRE develops resources for use by districts and sites to improve services for all students. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Comprehensive School Assistance Program

DIRECTOR The Comprehensive School Assistance Program (CSAP) strives to make a significant Fred Tempes contribution to closing the achievement gaps in American education. These gaps, rooted in issues of race, ethnicity, income, and home language, limit the life chances of OFFICE students and slow down America’s progress as a nation. 1000 G Street, Suite 500 Sacramento, California CSAP works to build the capacity of schools, school districts, intermediate agencies, 95814-0892 and state departments of education by providing research-based services and support to help transform low-performing schools and districts into highly effective learning CONTACT organizations. While many, if not most, state and federally funded efforts to close the Fred Tempes achievement gap focus on schools or districts, our work recognizes that all levels of the [email protected] education system—from the home to our federal government—have a role to play in tel: 916.492.4039 closing achievement gaps. fax: 916.492.4002 CSAP operates the National Center on School Turnaround, which provides technical ONLINE assistance to, and helps build the capacity of, states across the country to support WestEd.org/csap their districts and schools in turning around their lowest-performing schools. On the state and regional levels, CSAP operates two centers. The California Comprehensive Center collaborates with the California Department of Education and other statewide networks to improve teaching and learning for all students in California. The Region IX Equity Assistance Center provides technical assistance and training to Arizona, California, and Nevada districts, schools, and states in civil rights, equity, and school reform. CSAP staff also provide direct services to schools and districts to support local efforts to close the achievement gap and turnaround performance.

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RR Assisted low-performing schools and districts, with notable Creighton Elementary School District, Phoenix, AZ achievement gains for schools in Arizona, California, and In 2007–2008, prior to WestEd’s work with the district, Nebraska. Initiated improvement efforts in major urban only two of Creighton’s nine schools were identified districts, including Milwaukee (WI), and California’s San as “Performing” by the state. Six were identified as Diego, San Jose, and Stockton. “Underperforming,” and one was identified as “Failing to RR Enhanced WestEd’s national reputation as a leader in the Meet Academic Standards.” With support from the Ellis education of English learners: partnered with California Foundation, the district began its partnership with WestEd Department of Education staff and WestEd’s ASDS to at the beginning of the 2008–2009 school year. As of the develop new Common Core-aligned English language end of the 2010–2011 school year, all Creighton schools development standards for California; and co-authored were identified as either “Performing Plus” or “Highly widely cited national Title III evaluation report on setting Performing.” English-language-proficient performance standards, growth time frames, and academic progress expectations. San Juan School, Aromas/San Juan Unified, San Juan Bautista, CA During the 2008–2009 school year, San Juan School was among the state’s lowest-performing schools and >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Comprehensive School Assistance Program

its Academic Performance Index (API) growth was negative. WestEd is partnering with the school to provide Selected Resources comprehensive school transformation services, one of the four intervention models outlined in the federal School Equal Access to Content Instruction for English Learners: An Example From Science Improvement Grant guidelines. Effective Principals for California Schools: Building a Coherent Since partnering with WestEd, San Juan School has Leadership Development System experienced API growth of 126 points—nearly quadruple the state growth of 34 points during the same period. Forward, Together: Better Schools Through Labor- During the 2010–2011 school year alone, the school’s API Management Collaboration growth was 83 points—more than seven times the state growth of 11 points during the same period. How Next-Generation Standards and Assessments Can Foster Success for California’s English Learners

Moving Leadership Standards Into Everyday Work: CSAP Services Descriptions of Practice Using Multiple Forms of Data in Principal Evaluations: CSAP’s goal is to deliver an integrated, research-based set An Overview With Examples of services complete with an array of tools and protocols focused on building the capacity of state, intermediate agency, district, and school stakeholders to close achievement gaps. Selected Projects

Staff have deep expertise that includes building rigorous Migrant Student Information Network (MSIN) curricula through Common Core State Standards, The MSIN project manages the state of California’s developing and implementing effective instructional and longitudinal data system for its Migrant Education student engagement strategies, accelerating literacy Program. MSIN project staff provide training and support and academic vocabulary for English learners and other for the identification and recruitment of migrant students struggling students, aligning human and fiscal resources to undertaken by county offices of education and school priorities, and in collaboration with staff from other WestEd districts. They also monitor the data and prepare all state programs, increasing achievement outcomes for students and federal reports. with disabilities. SchoolsMovingUp Our services also include professional development to SchoolsMovingUp helps schools and districts raise student build a systematic means of increasing student academic achievement by connecting people with experts, resources, learning and performance by enhancing the quality and and each other on high-interest topics related to improving quantity of family and parent support. student outcomes. CSAP is committed to meeting the specific needs of each client, and after assessing needs, CSAP recommends an improvement plan that includes a coherent suite of supports and services customized to each client’s unique circumstances. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Evaluation Research Program

DIRECTOR The Evaluation Research Program (ERP) provides policymakers and practitioners with Martin Orland impartial, evidence-based information to improve education and other services.

OFFICE ERP staff have expertise in evaluating everything including migrant education programs, 1350 Connecticut teacher evaluation systems, school reform and turnaround efforts, online learning Avenue NW, Suite 1050 environments, and data systems. Staff apply rigorous social science methodology to Washington, D.C. produce accurate and reliable studies, then communicate actionable findings on the 20036-1709 implementation and effectiveness of programs and policies.

CONTACT The Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center, housed within ERP, helps state leaders with Venetia Singletary their initiatives to implement, support, scale up, and sustain statewide education [email protected] reforms. Center staff work closely with state leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region of tel: 202.429.9722 Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. fax: 202.429.9732

ONLINE WestEd.org/evaluation

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RR Awarded federal funding to operate the Comprehensive WestEd Evaluates Michigan School Improvement Center for the Mid-Atlantic region. Awarded two Grant Schools: More Oversight Needed subcontracts to serve as evaluator of two Comprehensive of School Consultants, Experts Say Centers in the Midwest region. Michigan received $119 million in School Improvement RR Awarded a contract by the Michael & Susan Dell Grant (SIG) money from the U.S. Department of Education. Foundation to conduct a nationally representative survey Did the funding help improve student achievement? The and case studies of schools of education to determine state turned to WestEd to find out. how they are building educators’ capacity to use data to Michigan hired WestEd to conduct a three-year evaluation of improve their instructional practices. its SIG efforts. For the first annual report cited in this article, RR Awarded a contract by the Michigan Department of WestEd researchers studied 18 districts and 28 schools. Education to evaluate its School Reform Office, charged Researchers found a number of trends across the SIG with turning around the state’s lowest-achieving schools. districts and schools in such areas as leadership, staffing, RR At the behest of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, professional development, and monitoring. convened a panel of 50 of the nation’s leading experts to Researchers also noted several differences between define the concept of data literacy in education, resulting in turnaround and transformation schools related to staffing, a white paper positing the skills and knowledge educators training, and monitoring. need to become data literate.

RR Awarded new contracts to evaluate teacher evaluation systems for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Selected Services Mastery Charter Schools, increasing program capacity in this important and emerging policy area. Preparing Teachers for Diverse Classrooms WestEd trains teachers on how to use research-based teaching strategies for English learners and successfully >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Evaluation Research Program

differentiate, or personalize, instruction for all diverse Evaluation of the Comprehensive School learners in their classroom. Reform Program Implementation and Outcomes: Fifth-Year Report Providing Monitoring and Technical This final report from WestEd’s evaluation of the U.S. Assistance to Federal Grantees Department of Education’s Comprehensive School Reform WestEd collects data and monitors grantee implementation (CSR) program found that just a third of the CSR-funded for the Charter Schools Program and the Magnet Schools schools implemented a scientifically based reform model Assistance Program, sharing best practices with grantees and as part of their reform, and did not demonstrate larger providing U.S. Department of Education officials with vital data achievement growth compared with comparison schools. to ensure program accountability and fiscal integrity. Beaverton School District Arts for Improving Arts Assessment Practices Learning (A4L) Lessons Evaluation WestEd provides professional development and technical This study, conducted as part of the Beaverton School assistance services to teachers, arts educators, arts District’s (OR) Investing in Innovation (i3) grant, is assessing administrators, and others in the arts field. Topics include the impact of a supplemental literacy curriculum on student defining arts knowledge and skills, developing program achievement. logic models, writing SMART objectives, choosing the right assessment methods, and developing rubrics and other assessment tools. Selected Projects Supporting Data Literacy and Data-Driven Decision Making Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center WestEd continues to work closely with the Data Quality The Mid-Atlantic Comprehensive Center helps state leaders Campaign as part of the working group for data literacy. with their initiatives to implement, support, scale up, and This group consists of policymakers from various sustain statewide education reforms. WestEd works closely organizations that are working to help agencies understand with state leaders in the Mid-Atlantic region of Delaware, the importance of building capacity to use data. Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia.

Charter School Data Collection and Monitoring Project Selected Resources WestEd has worked with the U.S. Department of Education’s Charter Schools Program (CSP) since 2005 Teaching English Learners and Students with Learning to provide evaluation and technical assistance service to Difficulties in an Inclusive Classroom: A Guidebook for CSP staff and grantees. Data from these reports have also Teachers informed the field and were recently cited in congressional Transforming Teaching and Learning Through Data-Driven testimony to describe the status of the charter school Decision Making: Classroom Insights from Educational movement in the United States. Psychology Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Southern California (USC) Selected Research & WestEd is conducting a longitudinal evaluation of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program for the Rossier Evaluation Studies School of Education at USC. The five-year evaluation will examine how well the program is aligned to state and Evaluation of Michigan’s 1003(g) School Improvement national teaching standards, and how well it is preparing its Grants: Implementation Trends in the First Year graduates for a career in education. At the end of the first year of implementation, WestEd evaluators found that staff reported growth in student achievement and positive shifts in school climate. They also noted that while schools made appreciable modifications related to governance and leadership to facilitate such change, district-level modifications were limited. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Health & Human Development Program

DIRECTOR The Health & Human Development Program (HHDP) promotes positive youth Gregory Austin development, school success, and well-being through research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects. OFFICE 4665 Lampson Avenue With deep expertise on youth risk behaviors and resilience factors, staff work with Los Alamitos, California schools and communities to implement effective approaches to preventing problem 90720-5139 behaviors and providing youth with the supports needed to succeed in school, career, and life. CONTACT The U.S. Department of Education identified the HHDP-developed Healthy Kids Gregory Austin [email protected] School Climate Student/Staff/Parent Survey Suite as a model for providing data to tel: 562.799.5155 guide improvements in learning conditions and supports. Data from the surveys fax: 562.799.5151 have significantly increased understanding of the health and socio-emotional factors influencing academic performance. ONLINE HHDP significantly expanded its work in school climate, and career and adult WestEd.org/hhdp education, recognizing the importance of these two areas in student achievement and overall life success.

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RR Significantly expanded school climate work: Awarded state California Healthy Kids Survey Helps Berkeley contracts to collaborate with low-performing high schools; High School Measure Progress launched the California Safe and Supportive Schools The halls of Berkeley High School are now safer for website, newsletter, and blog; conducted a California students. The reported rate of weapon possession has statewide conference; and researched the relationship of dropped by one third over the last two years, according to school climate indicators to academic performance at the the latest California Healthy Kids Survey results. school level. In 2011, Berkeley High School had seven recorded gun RR Awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to help assess and incidents. In response, the district stepped up efforts to address the needs of Army-dependent youth in secondary make the building safer, including hiring more monitors and after-school programs. increasing training for security guards.

RR Developed a guidebook for promoting California school Oakland Military Academy, Oakland, CA mental health programs. Conducted evaluation and Based on results from the California Healthy Kids Survey, research projects on restorative justice, alternatives to Oakland Military Academy implemented programs in peer detention, juvenile re-entry, and dating violence. counseling, anti-bullying, and teen dating violence. The RR Significantly expanded career and adult education work: programs led to a reduction in bullying and derogatory Prepared a widely disseminated, well-received policy paper comments by students about other students. on college and career readiness; launched a National Science Foundation-funded STEM workforce initiative; partnered in a successful Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant application; advised the Los Angeles Unified School District in action planning for services to adult learners; and built an online data system for community colleges. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Health & Human Development Program

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School Climate Assessment and California Career Technical Education Plan Professional Development Career technical education—with its focus on rigorous The survey improves student, staff, and community and engaging curricula, supportive relationships, and engagement in and out of school. demonstrated outcomes—has become critical to the preparation of all students for career and academic success, postsecondary education, and adult roles and responsibilities. This plan presents a vision for career Selected Resources technical education that is both broad and bold. California Healthy Kids Survey Reports (State, County, District, and School Levels) California Healthy Kids Survey The California Healthy Kids Survey is a comprehensive Career Technical Education Pathways Initiative Annual Report youth risk behavior and resilience data collection service 2011/2012 for youth ages 10 (grade 5) and above that the California Statewide Aggregated School Climate Reports Department of Education has made available to all California local education agencies (as well as outside Resiliency: What We Have Learned California). What Works Brief #4: School Connectedness California School Climate Survey Workbook for Improving School Climate & Closing the The California School Climate Survey (CSCS) provides Achievement Gap, 2nd Edition: Using Your California Healthy a way to confidentially obtain staff perceptions about Kids and California School Climate Surveys learning and teaching conditions for both general and special education classes. The CSCS also can be used to regularly inform decisions about professional development, instruction, the implementation of learning supports, and school reform. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Innovation Studies

DIRECTOR The Innovation Studies program helps educators and policymakers find promising Nikola N. Filby ideas, understand how they work, and put them into action. To do this, staff partner on pilot projects, conduct formative evaluations, and communicate using technology and OFFICE interactive media for knowledge transfer. 730 Harrison Street San Francisco, California One of Innovation Studies’ signature projects is Doing What Works (DWW), a website 94107-1242 that translates research-based practices into multimedia examples, tools, and resources that can be used to improve the quality of education. CONTACT The Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning (CFTL), housed within Innovation Nikola Filby [email protected] Studies, anchors the program’s initiatives around preparing teachers to use technology tel: 415.615.3124 and improve instruction to meet 21st century needs. fax: 415.512.2024

ONLINE WestEd.org/is

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RR Began a three-year “Core to College” contract to examine Montana Office of Public Instruction the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, The state of Montana integrated Doing What Works (DWW) with a focus on states’ preparation to use the Smarter resources into an already existing online infrastructure Balanced and PARCC assessments for placement in for administrators and teachers, specifically in schools in colleges and universities. need of improvement, Response to Intervention schools, and reading centers. State consultants and school-level RR Produced two groundbreaking reports on the status of coaches used these electronic professional development mathematics and science education in elementary and middle tools to further enhance and extend the mastery of schools in California. Research findings were used as an research-based practices into the schools and classrooms argument for changes to the state’s accountability system. they support. RR For the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s postsecondary initiative—Completion by Design—released Connection by McDaniel College, Westminster, MD Design: Students’ Perceptions of Their Community College McDaniel College incorporated DWW mathematics Experiences, and a series of “Game Changer” reports to resources into their professional development and coaching help colleges implement key strategies. with mathematics specialists and teacher leaders, and on their website, to reach up to 15,000 teachers. RR Secured funding for three evaluations of Workforce Innovation Fund grants to study improvements in the CFTL Report on Middle School Science efficiency and quality of workforce development pathways. Featured in Education Week Nearly three quarters of California’s middle school science teachers lack a background in science. And, only half of school districts in the state house a professional whose job is at least partially devoted to supporting science instruction in schools. A blog post from Education Week quoted these findings from a recent report by the Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning (CFTL) at WestEd. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Innovation Studies

Charter School Teachers Learn from Online Courses In four- to seven-week online professional development Selected Research & courses, charter school teachers can get beyond the Evaluation Studies walls of their school and learn new strategies to boost middle and high school students’ reading comprehension, One-Shot Deal? Students’ Perceptions including how best to teach to the Common Core State of Assessment and Course Placement in Standards for reading. More than 90 percent of participants California’s Community Colleges completing a survey found the modules highly effective. This study details findings and recommendations on Said one: The material was so useful “that I implemented students’ experiences with assessment and placement with my students the day I learned it!” and “I’ve already practices in California’s community colleges. seen an improvement in depth of comprehension and retention.” Workforce Innovation Initiatives WestEd is evaluating three California initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Innovation Fund. Selected Resources WestEd’s mixed-methods evaluations examine how sector partnerships and broad-based social impact coalitions Acceleration in Developmental Education (Game develop and lead innovation to build local talent and Changers Series) achieve specific milestones of workforce system efficiency and quality. College Bound in Middle School and High School? How Math Course Sequences Matter Connection by Design: Students’ Perceptions of Their Selected Projects Community College Experiences Center for the Future of Teaching & Learning Improving K–3 Reading Comprehension: Four Professional Development Modules The Center works to ensure all students have effective, well-prepared teachers who can help them succeed Providing Structured Pathways to Guide Students Toward academically. Completion (Game Changers Series) Doing What Works Research-Based Practices for Secondary Schools: Professional Development, Six One- to Three-Hour Modules The Doing What Works website helps educators understand research-based practices, see them in action, and plan to implement practices effectively.

School Turnaround Learning Community The School Turnaround Learning Community provides states and districts with easy online access to resources that will enable them to support schools, particularly those that are low performing, more effectively.

Workforce Development Working as an intermediary to broker and strengthen creative partnerships, WestEd designs, facilitates, and manages processes that build industry-relevant skills and catalyze innovation, effectiveness, and efficiency in workforce development systems. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Learning Innovations

DIRECTOR Learning Innovations (LI) conducts research and development and provides services Janet M. Phlegar focused on creating supportive environments that foster high-quality teaching and learning. Program staff work with schools, districts, and state departments of education OFFICE to build their capacity to promote improvement. 200 Unicorn Park Drive 4th floor Learning Innovations’ expertise informs policy and practice in nine northeastern states, Woburn, Massachusetts Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands through two Comprehensive Centers for New 01801-3324 England and New York, the Northeast Regional Resource Center (focusing on special

CONTACT education), the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands, and the Region Julie Colton II Equity Assistance Center. [email protected] Learning Innovations operates the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and tel: 781.481.1135 Islands contract with EDC. This project helps preK–16 educators at the state, district, fax: 781.481.1120 and school levels increase their use of scientifically based evidence to make decisions ONLINE that lead to improved student achievement and reduce performance gaps among WestEd.org/li student groups. In addition, Learning Innovations serves as the major partner on the Northeast Regional Comprehensive Center.

national model for providing technical assistance to states in Selected Highlights the area of fiscal monitoring under IDEA.

RR Awarded the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast RR Produced a report on the Kansas Multi-Tiered System and Islands contract with EDC. Work includes initiating of Supports Statewide Implementation Evaluation and implementing four of the eight Regional Research Project. The report led to positive change in Response- Alliances, and leading a successful Bridge Event on to-Intervention professional development and technical measuring educator effectiveness in collaboration with assistance to schools. the New England Comprehensive Center and the National RR Awarded the Northeast Regional Comprehensive Center Comprehensive Center on Teacher Quality. with RMC Research as prime and Learning Innovations as RR Significantly expanded district service initiatives to include the major partner. formative assessment, Common Core State Standards, and educator evaluation.

RR Continued conducting year-long leadership institutes for Selected Success Stories school districts in Massachusetts, at the request of the WestEd Team Co-Authors First-of-Its-Kind Review of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary School Enrollment Strategies in Developing Nations Education. These institutes have reached over two thirds of the school districts in Massachusetts, and represent a Anthony Petrosino, Claire Morgan, and Trevor Fronius wrote substantial body of work that forwards Learning Innovations’ a new, systematic review of methods used in developing goal of demonstrating collaboration between general and nations to improve school enrollment. special education to improve results for all students. Education is a gateway to economic development and RR Led two national RRC Program Priority Teams: The Student social welfare in developing countries. Given education’s Performance and Accountability Priority Team produced two critical role, many developing nations have tried various Spotlight Briefs highlighting state initiatives that led to improved methods to encourage widespread and equal enrollment. student results; and the Fiscal Priority Team developed a new >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Learning Innovations

Until now, no one has conducted a systematic review of ‘Policing Schools’ Strategies: A Systematic Search for those methods. Having a single report that collects and Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Studies analyzes many different approaches can spur innovation The Characteristics and Experiences of Beginning Teachers in and funding in improvement enrollment. Seven Northeast and Islands Region States and Nationally WestEd Criminology Expert Joins Team to Help Reduce Violence Worldwide Anthony Petrosino of WestEd was named to the planning Selected Research & committee for the National Academies Institute of Medicine’s Forum on Global Violence. Evaluation Studies

Like other public health concerns, violence can be Do States Have Certification Requirements for Preparing General Education Teachers to prevented. The Forum on Global Violence aims to facilitate Teach Students with Disabilities? Experience dialogue and exchange by connecting experts from all in the Northeast and Islands Region areas of violence prevention, including policymakers, academics, social service providers, economists, legal This study on teacher certification requirements in the Northeast experts, journalists, philanthropists, and faith-based and Islands Region found that eight of the nine jurisdictions organizations. require some coursework in teaching students with disabilities for initial licensure of general education teachers. Petrosino and his planning committee team members presented a workshop in Washington, D.C., on violence Formal System Processing of Juveniles: prevention across the lifespan and around the world. Effects on Delinquency This study found that system processing did not reduce delinquency and often increased crime when compared to Selected Services providing a diversion program or “doing nothing.”

Collaborative Evaluation of School-Based or District-Based Initiatives Selected Projects Teams of school- and district-based educators convene for a two-day institute focused on planning and conducting Northeast Regional Comprehensive Center ongoing evaluation of your local education initiatives. The Northeast Regional Comprehensive Center helps increase state capacity to assist districts and schools in Mentoring and Coaching New Teachers: A meeting student achievement goals. Comprehensive Approach to New Teacher Induction Participants learn the best approaches for developing Regional Educational Laboratory effective, high-quality teachers. Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI) REL-NEI helps preK–16 educators at the state, district, and school levels increase their use of scientifically based evidence Selected Resources to make decisions that lead to improved student achievement and reduce performance gaps among student groups. Designing Professional Development for Teachers of Science and Mathematics (3rd Edition)

Comprehensive Mentoring Programs for New Teachers: Models of Induction and Support, Second Edition

Interventions in Developing Nations for Improving Primary and Secondary School Enrollment of Children: A Systematic Review >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Policy Center

DIRECTOR The Policy Center brings clarity to complex issues by examining all sides and Paul H. Koehler presenting objective, research-based views. Staff respond to requests from Congress and federal agencies, and state and local agencies, addressing inquiries from OFFICE legislators, boards of education, and other policy leaders. 2020 N. Central Avenue, Suite 510 One of the Center’s primary initiatives is the California Mayors Education Roundtable, Phoenix, Arizona which brings together mayors of California’s larger cities, district superintendents, 85004-4598 and their key staff to share data, evidence-based and promising practices, and

CONTACT programmatic strategies to address local challenges affecting students’ education and Paul Koehler career success. [email protected] The Policy Center operates the West Comprehensive Center, which helps Arizona, tel: 602.322.7004 Nevada, and Utah state leaders with their initiatives to implement, support, scale up, fax: 602.322.7007 and sustain statewide education reforms. The Center also works with the University of ONLINE Oklahoma to support the states of Colorado and New Mexico. Since 2005, WestEd WestEd.org/policy has operated the center, formerly known as the Southwest Comprehensive Center (2005–2012).

Selected Highlights Selected Success Stories

RR Secured funding and partnership from the Helios WestEd Partnership Trains School Turnaround Foundation to initiate the Arizona Mayors Education Leaders Across the Southwest Roundtable, starting with ten of the state’s mayors wishing Getting Principals to Think Like Managers to learn more about ways their cities can help local school WestEd is helping 69 schools across Arizona, Utah, districts. This initiative was built on the work and lessons Nevada, Colorado, and New Mexico take one innovative learned from the California Mayors Education Roundtable. step to improve student academic performance. They’re RR Awarded funding to operate the West Comprehensive sending their principals back to school. Center and serve as subcontractor for the Central and As part of a partnership between WestEd and the South Central Regional Centers. University of Virginia School Turnaround Specialist Program RR Secured a $5-million grant using H-1B visa funds from (developed as a partnership of the Darden School of the U.S. Department of Labor to partner with the city of Business and the Curry School of Education), the K–12 San Francisco, IBM, AT&T, and the City College of San schools are participating in a unique two-year program Francisco to provide training designed to increase the designed to develop school turnaround leaders. technical skills of workers in the city. WestEd and Helios Education Foundation RR Partnered with the University of Virginia to offer a training Bring Together Arizona Mayors program for 69 school turnaround leaders from 14 school The Arizona Mayors Education Roundtable, with initial districts in the states served by the Southwest Comprehensive funding from the Helios Education Foundation, will help Center; the program is receiving positive attention from the ensure students in Arizona are both college and career ready. U.S. Department of Education and is in high demand from Recognizing the vital stake that cities have in a quality state leaders in these Southwestern states. education for all, 10 Arizona mayors have come together to form the Arizona Mayors Education Roundtable. These mayors are working together and with their local school district and other community leaders to prepare all students to be college and career ready. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Policy Center

Selected Services Selected Research &

Analyses of Pending or Current Legislation Evaluation Studies

Center staff respond to direct requests from policymakers, Comparing Achievement Trends in Reading and Math resulting in concrete findings and implications that enable Across Arizona Public School Student Subgroups them to more thoughtfully consider program impacts in What percentage of Arizona public school students is their state. proficient in reading and math? How does the percentage Convening Key Policymakers and Stakeholders differ by student subgroup and school level? And what are the results when only charter schools are examined? This WestEd’s policy conferences and symposia keep stakeholders study answers these questions and more. informed about current education issues and trends, and foster dialogue around high-leverage policy issues. What Works in Developing Nations to Get Children Into School and Keep Them There? A Systematic Review of Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Research Selected Resources What strategies are developing nations using to increase student enrollment, attendance, retention, and grade A Synthesis of Recent California Education Reform progression in their schools? This WestEd study aims to Recommendations find out what works.

Building a Research Agenda to Improve Education Outcomes for Children and Youth in Foster Care: What the Experts Say

Education That Works: Ideas for Sacramento Selected Project

The Latino Education Crisis: Rescuing the American Dream West Regional Center The West Regional Center helps Arizona, Nevada, and Utah state leaders with their initiatives to implement, support, scale up, and sustain statewide education reforms. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Regional Educational Laboratory West

DIRECTOR The Regional Educational Laboratory West (REL West) at WestEd, serving Arizona, Nikola N. Filby California, Nevada, and Utah, is part of a national network of 10 RELs whose mission is to provide research, analytic support, and resources that increase the use of high- OFFICE quality data and evidence in education decision-making. 730 Harrison Street San Francisco, California Most REL West work is carried out in partnership with educators—from state and local 94107-1242 decision-makers to district and school support providers and practitioners—through eight regional research alliances. Each alliance focuses on one or more of four priority CONTACT topics in the western states: increasing college and career readiness and success, Nikola N. Filby strengthening educator effectiveness, accelerating achievement among English [email protected] learners, or improving school climate and student achievement in low-performing tel: 415.615.3124 schools. fax: 415.512.2024 Educators across the region are provided access to REL research through ONLINE e-newsletters, a research digest, webinars, and Bridge Events that bring together relwest.WestEd.org researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to learn deeply about an issue and move to action.

Selected Highlights Selected Success Stories

RR Launched a five-year contract as REL West to provide WestEd Researchers Spotlight research to Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah from Reenrollment in High School 2012–2017. The reality of dropping out of high school is more complex than many imagine. RR Established eight research alliances in which REL West partners with educators at the local and state level, Students drop out of school as part of a long process institutions of higher education, and other researchers in related to personal, family, and/or economic stresses. order to increase systematic use of data and evidence to improve student outcomes. According to a WestEd study by Vanessa Barrat, BethAnn Berliner, and Anthony Fong, one third of students who RR Hosted workshops, provided technical assistance to dropped out subsequently reenrolled because of limited research alliances, conducted research reviews, and employment opportunities and efforts of school leaders to moved forward on a series of qualitative and quantitative draw them back. This study, published in the November descriptive studies that will be published by the U.S. 2012 issue of the Journal of Education for Students Placed Department of Education, consistent with Institute of at Risk (JESPAR), has prompted districts around the Education Sciences’ peer review standards. country to increase their efforts to support reenrollment.

RR Convened educators across California to explore the Improving Graduation Rates in Nevada Common Core State Standards, the changes in instruction The Washoe County School District (Reno, Nevada) has these standards entail, and how districts are preparing been working with REL West to look at graduation rate data teachers to teach to these standards. Conducted follow- and develop indicators of students at risk of dropping out up events. of school. Based on initial data, the district improved data collection methods in order to track more students, and increased efforts to support at-risk students. Graduation rates have improved. The district, with REL West, is now piloting a student voices toolkit to understand more fully the reasons students drop out and to engage youth in finding solutions. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Regional Educational Laboratory West

The Relationship Between English Proficiency Selected Resources and Content Knowledge for English Language Learner Students in Grades 10 and 11 in Utah Collaborating for Success: Implementing the Common Core This study explores English learners’ performance on State Standards in California (Archived presentations and language proficiency and content assessments, and resource materials) documents performance differences on particular strands Comparing Achievement Trends in Reading and Math Across of content between English learners and their non-English Arizona Public School Student Subgroups learner counterparts.

How California’s Local Education Agencies Evaluate Teachers and Principals Selected Project Projecting the Need for California School Administrators Over 2010/11–2017/18: The Effects of Projected Regional Research Alliances Retirement and Projected Changes in Student Enrollment Over Two-Year Increments Most REL West work is carried out in partnership with educators—from state and local decision-makers to district REL West Research Digest and school support providers and practitioners—through eight regional research alliances: Summary of Existing School Climate Instruments for Middle School • Dropout Prevention Alliance for Utah Students with Disabilities Understanding How Teachers Use Student Assessment Data • Nevada Education Research Alliance • Silicon Valley Research Alliance Selected Research & • California Office to Reform Education (CORE) Evaluation Studies Research Partnership • Community College Alliance on Career and Assessment Accommodations for Technical Education English Language Learners REL West researchers investigated the effects of • Educator Effectiveness Alliance assessment accommodations on standardized test scores • English Learner Alliance and test score validity for English language learners. • Middle Grades School Climate Alliance >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

DIRECTOR The Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) program, spanning Steve A. Schneider grades preK–16, offers a diverse portfolio of projects that enhance teaching and learning across all STEM subjects, including the less commonly addressed fields of OFFICE technology and engineering education. 400 Seaport Court, Suite 222 Redwood City, California Through cutting-edge research, evaluation, curriculum development, and professional 94063-2767 development, STEM increases understanding on issues such as technology literacy, the use of simulations to enhance student learning and assessment, and science and CONTACT mathematics learning. The SimScientists team won the 2012 award for research paper Steve Schneider of the year from the prestigious National Association of Research in Science Teaching. [email protected] tel: 650.381.6410 STEM’s Making Sense of SCIENCE project continues to publish professional fax: 650.381.6401 development courses for middle school science teachers. These courses prepare teachers for the new Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. ONLINE WestEd.org/stem

colleges and universities; federal, state, and local Selected Highlights government organizations; nonprofits; and corporations and foundations such as Google, Hewlett, PBS, Synopsys, RR Awarded a federal i3 Validation grant to study the Intel, and Wikipedia. effectiveness of using an innovative early math program on a statewide scale in California. RR Empowered diverse learners by widely disseminating Selected Success Stories innovative, evidence-based curricula and professional development into all education settings. For example, WestEd Evaluation Helps Businesses Gauge Aim for Algebra is designed for after-school as well as in- Efficacy of STEM Learning Programs school use with students who struggle with algebra. Making The business community in the United States is taking Science Accessible to English Learners offers research- a particular interest in STEM (science, technology, based guidance and tools for effective instructional engineering, and math) education. Change the Equation practices. Professional development by the K–12 Alliance (CTEq) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit initiative of CEOs that has increased achievement in writing and science for low- helps the business community support improved STEM income student populations having high proportions of education. WestEd served as an independent reviewer of English language learners. design principles, and used the principles to evaluate more than 40 STEM education programs. RR Created strategies for increasing the priority of technology and engineering (T&E) in STEM education. Led specification Following the review, WestEd built STEMworks, a database of the national framework for developing the first-ever 2014 of programs that meet the design principles. The goal National Assessment of Educational Progress assessment of STEMworks is to help focus funding and support on of students’ T&E literacy. rigorous, successful STEM education programs.

RR Further advanced state-of-the-art research and evaluation WestEd Report Shows The Electric that investigates high-profile, high-leverage phenomena Company Lights Up Summer Learning in STEM education. Launched an NSF-funded efficacy Today’s kids enjoy entertainment franchises that span study of selective STEM specialty schools. Served as movies, books, and video games. Think Harry Potter. That external evaluator for seminal programs and projects same package of media might help kids learn, as well. that span all of the STEM fields. Client types include >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Program

WestEd served as the evaluator for a new multimedia math program for summer schools from PBS, CPB, and Sesame Selected Resources Workshop. This program, targeting first and second graders, is based on The Electric Company television show. Examining Mathematics Practice through Classroom Artifacts

This initial study showed impressive student gains in Field Guide to Geometric Transformations, Congruence, and Similarity numeracy skills, mathematics vocabulary, and phonics skills. Additionally, the project now works with families in How Can Simulations Be Components of Balanced State low economic communities to empower parents to support Science Assessment Systems? their children’s learning from the CPB-PBS activities enacted through digital tools. Making Sense of SCIENCE K–8 Professional Development Courses

Math Pathways & Pitfalls K–8 Intervention Curriculum

Selected Services STEM Teachers in Professional Learning Communities: From Good Teachers to Great Teaching K–12 Alliance Professional Development This program includes Content Institutes to increase participants’ science or mathematics knowledge and pedagogical skills for teaching science to Lesson Studies in Selected Projects teachers’ classrooms to teacher-leader development. National Center on Cognition & Mathematics Instruction Making Sense of SCIENCE The National Center on Cognition & Mathematics Instruction at WestEd is redesigning an existing Making Sense of SCIENCE helps teachers learn how mathematics curriculum in ways that will substantially to implement Understanding Science professional improve student outcomes. development courses in their school, district, local education agency, university, or school reform organization. Understanding Science for Teaching Math Pathways & Pitfalls Institute Understanding Science is a nationally field-tested professional development program designed to help Teachers attending this institute learn ways to help teachers learn major concepts of K–8 science; examine students overcome pitfalls, boost learning of key how children make sense of those concepts; and analyze mathematics standards, and develop academic language. and improve their teaching practice. The institutes also highlight crucial strategies for working with diverse learners.

The Making Science Accessible to English Learners Professional Development (and parallel resources and services for mathematics) Workshop participants engage in a hands-on, student- centered model lesson as they learn research-based teaching strategies for English learners.

Evaluation of STEM projects and products Staff evaluate large and small endeavors across the nation, from assisting small cutting-edge projects or serving as external evaluator in high-profile projects, to monitoring fidelity of implementation for impact studies, conducting pilot studies during product development, or conducting experimental efficacy studies of more advanced products. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS Teacher Professional Development Program

DIRECTOR The Teacher Professional Development (TPD) program, which includes the Aída Walqui Strategic Literacy Initiative (SLI) and Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL), comprehensively addresses teacher learning, from preservice through teacher OFFICE leadership in grades 2–14. 730 Harrison Street San Francisco, California SLI was awarded a federal Investing in Innovation (i3) grant for the Internet-Based 94107-1242 Reading Apprenticeship® Improving Science Education, or iRAISE, project. iRAISE staff are developing and implementing an innovative online professional development course CONTACT based on the highly successful Reading Apprenticeship professional development so Aída Walqui that it can be scaled more efficiently and for much larger impact. [email protected] QTEL is a unique professional development initiative that promotes high-challenge, tel: 415.615.3262 fax: 415.565.3012 high-support learning opportunities to develop teacher expertise and raise the achievement of English language learner students. QTEL provides intensive support to ONLINE major school districts nationwide. WestEd.org/tpd

RR As a founding member of the Understanding Language Selected Highlights Initiative (UL), QTEL Director Aída Walqui co-wrote two of the seminal papers on new standards and ELLs that are RR Received a federal Investing in Innovation (i3) grant for cited broadly. The QTEL team elaborated an instructional Internet-Based Reading Apprenticeship® Improving exemplar for UL that will guide districts nationwide in the Science Education, or iRAISE. This SLI project is developing big shifts entailed by the implementation of new standards and implementing an innovative online professional with English language learners. development course based on the highly successful Reading Apprenticeship professional development so that it can be scaled more efficiently and for much larger impact. Selected Success Stories RR Published the second edition of Reading for Understanding. This edition—which has received positive reviews—has Literacy Research by WestEd’s Greenleaf Helps more depth, diversity, and portraits of classroom practice Inform Common Core State Standards than the 1999 edition, which sold over 100,000 copies. Literacy used to mean simply decoding words on a page. Thanks in part to research from WestEd’s Cynthia RR Worked with the University of Illinois, Chicago, as part Greenleaf, the definition of literacy is expanding and of the Institute of Education Sciences’ Reading for deepening. Understanding grant; included the creation of a supported, dynamic, and productive teacher network. The partnership Greenleaf is the Co-Director of the Strategic Literacy developed, field-tested, and observed two successful Initiative at WestEd. She is also co-author of Literacy intervention units. Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core of Middle and High School Improvement, an influential study RR Recently experienced the most successful Quality on literacy. Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) Summer Institute of all QTEL institutes held since 2002. National and Greenleaf’s research examines academic literacy—the international educators attended seven recent successful ability to read, think, write, and speak effectively in and institutes focused on new standards: Common Core State across multiple subject areas. This richer definition of Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, English academic literacy underpins the philosophy of literacy Language Proficiency Framework, and English Language embodied in the Common Core State Standards. Proficiency Standards. >> ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS: Teacher Professional Development Program

WestEd’s Walqui Contributes to English Language Proficiency Framework Selected Resources WestEd’s Aída Walqui was among a group of English Literacy Instruction in the Content Areas: Getting to the Core language learner (ELL) experts who contributed to a new of Middle and High School Improvement framework regarding standards for English language proficiency. Reading for Understanding: How Reading Apprenticeship Improves Disciplinary Learning in Secondary and College The free report, from the Council of Chief State School Classrooms, 2nd Edition Officers, helps state education agencies define what skills ELLs need to succeed with curricula based on the Reimagining Our Inexperienced Adolescent Readers: From Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Struggling, Striving, Marginalized, and Reluctant to Thriving Science Standards. Scaffolding the Academic Success of Adolescent English Walqui directs the WestEd Teacher Professional Language Learners: A Pedagogy of Promise Development Program. A member of several national and What Are We Doing to Middle School English Learners? international teacher professional development advisory Findings and Recommendations for Change From a Study of boards, Walqui recently was selected to serve as an expert California EL Programs (Narrative Summary) on a Stanford University-led effort to develop English language proficiency resources aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Selected Research & Renton Technical College, Renton, WA Evaluation Studies After the introduction of Reading Apprenticeship, students in adult basic education class increased their General Reading Apprenticeship® Improving Equivalency Diploma completion rate by 32 percent. Secondary Education (RAISE) Student also saw increases three times faster on the Life What happens to student literacy outcomes when the and Work Skills Reading and Math Assessment. “dosage” of the already proven Reading Apprenticeship® approach is doubled or tripled? This five-year study aims to find out.

Selected Services READi (Reading, Evidence, and Argumentation in Disciplinary Instruction) Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) Customized School and/or District Partnerships This study will show what kind of student performances or products represent “reading for understanding,” as defined QTEL offers an academic framework rich in intellectual by the project, in history, science, and English literature challenge along with high-level support. This specific QTEL developmentally across grades 6–12. service helps school districts customize on-site teacher and leadership support. Reading Apprenticeship® Online for Selected Projects Community College Instructors Reading Apprenticeship professional development helps Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) instructors—including community college instructors— QTEL offers an academic framework rich in intellectual understand the ways in which they, as disciplinary experts, challenge along with high-level support for English learners. can “apprentice” students into proficient academic reading in their subject area. Strategic Literacy Initiative The Strategic Literacy Initiative has gained a national reputation for leadership in professional development programs to improve adolescent literacy and for research on adolescent literacy development.