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WestEd.org @wested.org · 11/07/2026

1/4 More states are gaining approval to pool separate education funding programs into flexible pots. Indiana is the latest, with a new waiver that combines five funding programs into one and pilots similar flexibility for some districts. Thread below 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 10/07/2026

1/5 WestEd helps districts and states manage complex funding, reporting, and policy requirements. That work led WestEd's Jason Willis to a notable finding: the instructions for California's LCAP grew 800% in word count over the past decade. Thread below 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 09/07/2026

1/4 Getting to high school Calculus usually depends on one thing: whether a student took Algebra 1 in 8th grade. Miss that on-ramp, and the path narrows fast. WestEd's Dr. Drew Nucci looked at what's working to change that. Thread below 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 08/07/2026

1/6 A student can read a passage fluently and still be developing comprehension. WestEd's summer Leading Together series was built to close that gap, five free 30-minute webinars for teachers, coaches, and literacy leaders. Thread below 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 07/07/2026

Literacy outcomes depend on more than one kind of support, and WestEd just brought those kinds of support together in one new suite for TK–5 literacy: Language, Literacy, and Learning. Curriculum, coaching, professional learning, and leadership each play a part in how well students learn to read,

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 07/07/2026

1/5 What makes a school feel like a place where students can actually thrive? WestEd's latest blog post points to four conditions, and none of them start with fixing the student. Thread below 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 06/07/2026

1/5 Persistent challenges are often signs of larger system issues, not isolated problems. That's how Tori Ballew, Program Manager at the Center for Education Systems at WestEd, describes what shows up when schools face things like high rates of restrictive placements or ongoing staffing gaps. 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 29/06/2026

California educators are building something meaningful—schools where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn. 🧵👇

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 26/06/2026

At #NCSA2026, WestEd led and co-led sessions on strengthening assessment systems, improving the instructional use of data, and how emerging tools are shaping the future of K–12 assessment. As a Gold Sponsor of the event hosted by @CCSSO, here's what we explored 🧵

Mel Wylen, Mitch Herz, both with WestEd, and Benjamin Boer with EdSystems.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 26/06/2026

How can states do a better job connecting kids that are facing homelessness, foster care, migrant moves & the justice system with support? A new WestEd + UCLA brief looks at Colorado & Washington: what's working, and six ways to build on it.

A digital cover image of a report titled, "Highly Mobile Youth: How State Policy and Local Implementation Can Work Together to Support Youth." The cover includes a map with a highlighted central region and smiling children in small circular frames. Logos for American Institutes for Research, WestEd, and UCLA Center for Transformation of Schools are at the bottom.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 25/06/2026

What if young people aren't avoiding services—but navigating systems that make support hard to reach? 🧵👇

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 25/06/2026

When the federal rules your school-rating system was built around suddenly move, what happens to your system? That's the question Indiana just put on the table for every state. On June 16, the U.S. Department of Education approved Indiana's waiver loosening a core ESSA rule—

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 24/06/2026

We keep giving students more tests. We aren't learning more about them. WestEd's Sarah Quesen explains why in her latest post: schools add assessments but never retire them, the tests are built on different scales so they contradict each other, and no one's shown how the results fit together.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 23/06/2026

The best edtech doesn't replace good teaching—it amplifies it. So how do we keep the human connection at the center as classrooms adopt new technology? 🧵👇

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 22/06/2026

1/4 Good reporting helps education leaders make smarter decisions for students. The catch: not every requirement delivers that value. So how do you tell the difference? 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 21/06/2026

1/5 For a lot of adults, math is the wall. Going for a GED, getting back into work, or just trying to feel steady with money—it's often the thing in the way. And for the people teaching them, finding curriculum actually built for adults (not recycled K–12) is its own struggle. 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 21/06/2026

1/6 This summer, WestEd is bringing math educators together to build something real: curriculum-aligned AI teaching assistants you create alongside other teachers. A 6-week program that moves from understanding AI to genuinely putting it to work in your classroom. 🧵

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 20/06/2026

Congratulations to our colleague Dr. Niki Sandoval, a 2026 Hancock Honors recipient. A first-gen grad who started at Allan Hancock College and earned her doctorate at UC Santa Barbara.

The image features a person with gray hair smiling, wearing a black jacket and red top, positioned on the right. The background is a gradient of blue and green with geometric patterns. Text reads, "WestEd 60 Years. Congratulations Dr. Niki Sandoval! 2026 Hancock Honors Recipient.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 18/06/2026

“Our work is grounded in the real challenges that states and districts face every day, and I see that focus here in the folks at WestEd.” —Hannah Guevara, Policy Manager As a joint powers authority, WestEd partners with state and local leaders so policy and research respond to on-the-ground needs.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 17/06/2026

1/4 What does it take to move from short-term initiatives to lasting instructional change? For Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kevin Gallick, the path began with a clear focus on literacy.

The image is a promotional graphic featuring a presentation titled "How an Illinois Assistant Superintendent Made Literacy a Path Back to Engagement and Trust." It includes a photo of Kevin Gallick, EdD, identified as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at Rich Township High School District 227. The background shows a group of people sitting and reading in a circle. Logos for WestEd and "In Their Words, Partner Stories" are at the bottom.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 14/06/2026

Delta Academy serves students who've faced bullying, school phobia, housing instability, and learning challenges. Three years of low ratings threatened the school's existence.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 13/06/2026

Leading a school or district takes more than vision. It takes the people skills to bring others along. Coaching, team-building, facilitation, trust. The kind of leadership that holds a system together. WestEd's Leadership Playbook is a free six-session research-based series that helps school

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 09/06/2026

Assessment data that doesn't reach classrooms. Accountability systems disconnected from improvement. AI tools that are hard to evaluate with confidence. These are real challenges for state and district leaders right now. WestEd's assessment team is presenting four sessions at #NCSA2026

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 04/06/2026

Phonics builds the foundation. But what makes a child *want* to read? 📚 Literacy expert Misty Sailors joins the Leading Voices podcast to explore how school leaders can build a K–5 culture of literacy that students, educators, and visitors can *feel* the moment they walk in.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 03/06/2026

Phonics matters. So does helping kids actually want to read. Episode 22 of Leading Voices features literacy researcher Misty Sailors on building a K-5 culture of literacy. She covers disciplinary literacy, teacher agency, authentic texts, and practical strategies school leaders can use right now.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 03/06/2026

California educators — WestEd and CDE have two free virtual events coming this fall, and both are worth your attention.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 02/06/2026

Summer learning loss isn't inevitable. The research is pretty clear on that. Rachel Tripathy from our literacy research team is joining @BookTrust's free virtual discussion circle June 2 to break down what the evidence actually says about the summer slide and what works to address it.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 01/06/2026

Every summer, educators gather to focus on one shared goal: helping English learners access rigorous learning where language and content develop together.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 29/05/2026

Educators across the country are reimagining high school math, and WestEd is building something to meet that moment. ISQR is a new 3rd/4th-year high school math course is built around real-world data and hands-on projects, designed for all students regardless of postsecondary path.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 27/05/2026

Enroll in Reading Apprenticeship sessions in IL + CA for teachers who want students reading, thinking, and making meaning with confidence. Writing Apprenticeship gives students tools to communicate with intention across every discipline. 👉 RA: bit.ly/3PtGX3Q 👉 WA: bit.ly/3HHuV3b #EdSky #Literacy

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 23/05/2026

Schools serving newcomer students are being asked to move away from remediation and toward instruction that builds language and content knowledge together. That shift requires real support.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 23/05/2026

Some of the most motivated learners anywhere are adults who decided to come back to education. WestEd built a math course around that person — and then made it free. ande-oer.wested.org #AdultEducation #Numeracy

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 22/05/2026

Headed to the First 1,000 Days! Early Head Start Conference? Kick it off with WestEd's pre-conference workshop on child-directed play for 2- and 3-year olds. #EarlyHeadStart #PlayBasedLearning

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 21/05/2026

Reading Apprenticeship & Writing Apprenticeship are built on the same research foundation. Metacognition, apprenticeship learning, disciplinary literacy. One for reading. One for writing. Both designed for real classrooms. Reading Apprenticeship: bit.ly/3PtGX3Q Writing Apprenticeship: bit.ly/3HHuV3b

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 19/05/2026

WestEd's assessment experts head to the 2026 National Conference on Student Assessment in Austin, June 22–24, leading four sessions on some of the field's most pressing questions—from early literacy screening to AI-based assessment innovation. bit.ly/491QN3p #NCSA2026 #EducationPolicy #AIAssessment

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Connect With WestEd at the 2026 National Conference on Student Assessment

Join WestEd assessment experts will present at the 2026 National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA) in Austin, Texas, June 22–24, 2026.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 19/05/2026

When students do the thinking: → more engagement → deeper understanding → less dependence on the teacher Reading Apprenticeship does this for reading. Writing Apprenticeship does it for writing. They're built to work together. 👉 Register for RA: bit.ly/3PtGX3Q 👉 Learn about WA: bit.ly/3HHuV3b

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 18/05/2026

K–12 math educators: spend five Wednesdays this summer building AI-powered teaching tools connected directly to your curriculum. No prior AI experience needed. Each session, you leave with something you can use. bit.ly/4vWmSnn #AIintheClassroom #MathTeachers #MathEducation #EdTech

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 16/05/2026

WestEd & CalSCHLS are hosting a webinar on which CHKS indicators connect to California's Community Schools Framework and how to use dashboards and survey data to monitor progress. May 21 | 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. PT | Free Register: bit.ly/4uQsGNB #CommunitySchools #CHKS #CalSCHLS #CaliforniaSchools

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 15/05/2026

Sustaining school-based healthcare requires lasting funding, not just one-time grants. WestEd’s Lisa Eisenberg talks with Marley Arechiga on Leading Voices about leveraging Medicaid, braiding funding, and practical steps for district leaders. Listen: [LINK] #SchoolBasedHealth

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 15/05/2026

Working with infants and toddlers starts in small moments—watching responses, noticing patterns, and adjusting plans. Join our 4-session summer training for educators working with children birth to age 3. Applications due July 31. Link: www.pitc.org/training/cal... #InfantToddlerCare #EarlyChildhood

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 14/05/2026

Great districts are built by leaders who never stop improving. And who know how to bring their principals along with them. That culture of continuous improvement? It's a skill. And it can be learned. Enrollment ends 5/14. Is your district in? bit.ly/4wu7miX #PrincipalSupport #EducationalLeadership

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 13/05/2026

Ready to go deeper? WestEd's three-day virtual institute, Enhancing Instruction for Multilingual Learners With Disabilities, gives school teams a shared framework they can carry back and apply together. Link: bit.ly/3Qnx5J8 #InclusivePedagogy #DualIdentification #MLLs

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 13/05/2026

WestEd and the California Dept. of Education offer a practical IEP walkthrough for charter leaders and special ed coordinators—clear strategies that improve outcomes, reduce compliance risk, and free up time for instruction. May 19. Link: bit.ly/3QIztKK #SpecialEducation #IEPDevelopment

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Statewide Technical Assistance for Charter Schools (STACS), Special Education

Register for WestEd’s special education compliance webinars for California charter schools, covering IDEA, Section 504, IEPs, and CDE requirements.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 12/05/2026

If students only understand when you explain, who's really doing the learning? Real shift = students doing the thinking, not just the work. June sessions in IL + CA if you want to explore the Reading Apprenticeship model in your classroom. 👉 bit.ly/4tRMCj8 #EdSky #TeachingReading

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Reading Apprenticeship Essentials I: Build Student-Centered Learning Communities

This foundational course introduces the Reading Apprenticeship framework’s four dimensions of learning and how they...

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 12/05/2026

What does quality look like through a baby’s eyes? Bianca Reyes & Kerry Kriener‑Althen (WestEd PITC PARS) will share observation tools and reflective strategies for infant/toddler care. Indiana Early Childhood Conference, May 15–16. Register: bit.ly/48mBZMN #EarlyChildhood #InfantToddlerCare

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 11/05/2026

You hired great principals. You trust them. But when's the last time someone invested in the leaders supporting them? Connecticut superintendents are finding the answer — and spaces are almost gone. Don't miss this window. bit.ly/4wu7miX #CTed #PrincipalSupport #EducationalLeadership

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 10/05/2026

The language you use shapes how you feel, lead, and show up for students. Join Dr. Marissa Smith for a free 20-minute session on using intentional language to build emotional resilience and shift school culture. May 13, 2 PM. bit.ly/4t9ciXs #EducatorWellbeing #MindfulLeadership #SchoolCulture

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 10/05/2026

Can a 30‑minute routine flip how teens see writing? Join WestEd’s Jenell Krishnan on 5/14 for Writing Apprenticeship webinar sharing research‑backed routines that help them write with purpose. Link: www.wested.org/event/writin... #WritingApprenticeship #AdolescentLiteracy #WritingInstruction

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Writing Apprenticeship Webinar Series

Join one of our free 30-minute Writing Apprenticeship webinars and walk away with a writing routine you can use with students tomorrow.

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WestEd.org @wested.org · 09/05/2026

If students only understand when you explain it… who’s really doing the learning? Real shift = students doing the thinking, not just the work. We’re running trainings in reading and writing apprenticeships this June to help make that happen. 👉 Link: bit.ly/4tRMCj8 #EdSky #DisciplinaryLiteracy

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