Mathematics, Science, and Technlogy Topics

Accountability Today there is an unprecendented emphasis on the responsibility of schools and teachers to ensure that students achieve academically. Many states and districts are using curricular standards and high stakes assessment to measure student performance. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program provides a number of resources to assist schools in aligning curriculum to national, regional, or district standards. We also provide assessments to gauge student learning in the math and science subject areas, as well as evaluation services that determine the success, strengths, and weaknesses of school programs and curricula. Assessment Assessment has become a vital tool in the measurement of student learning. Districts and states are using assessment with greater frequency as a means of determining whether students are learning what educators think they are learning, and how well. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program provides multiple assessment resources for schools to measure math and science learning. These assessments help educators identify where their curriculum and teaching practices are working and where they are not. Case Methods & Materials Patterned after the case methods successfully used to prepare lawyers, physicians, and business professionals, case discussions focus on experiences from teaching practice that promote analytic thought, reflection and inquiry. Through discussion with colleagues, teachers and professional developers become more effective in their pedagogy and methods. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program has developed cases for discussion in the areas of math, science, and professional development and offers facilitator training for conducting effective discussions Curriculum & Instruction There is always a pressing need for quality curriculum that is up-to-date as well as meaningful and interesting to both students and teachers. In many cases, the curriculum must also adhere to rigorous state or district standards of what students need to know and be able to do. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program has developed and field-tested a variety of math and science curricula and instructional materials that have proven successful. From interactive technology lessons to Spanish math materials, we provide educators with curriculum that works Diversity & Equity The increasing diversity of our nation’s student body demands that our teaching methods and approaches address differences among learners while ensuring a quality education for all. Our work seeks to enhance the capacity of educators to provide high quality education to students from linguistic, cultural, and racial groups traditionally underserved by existing systems. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program offers professional development training, printed resources, and evaluation services that help schools and districts determine whether their curriculum and programs are supporting the goals of equity and diversity. Environmental Education An educated citizenry has the knowledge to make decisions that promote protection of our planet's resources. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program has an extensive array of tools to help educators teach their students, and themselves, about the environment. We have an online EE community for groups and discussions, books and other printed resources, Web-based lessons and animations, and myriad links to national and regional EE resources in English and in Spanish. Evaluation An important element of implementing curricula, educational materials, school programs and reforms is evaluating how well they achieve the desired level of impact. The evaluation process utilizes the expertise of a trained team to design the evaluation plan and then collect, analyze, and synthesize data. Customizing our evaluation plan to the client's need, WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program uses a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate a wide variety of projects and programs. We work with clients to help them ask appropriate questions, develop, and apply innovative methods to explore answers and stay alert for findings that might have implications far beyond one particular program. Family Involvement & Strengthening The interest and involvement of adults in their children's education can be a powerful motivator for learning in and out of the classroom. Out-of-school learning can play a vital role in furthering the depth of knowledge children develop in math, science, and technology. From a Web site with science centers to visit and online learning environments to printed materials, WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program has resources that enable adults to join children in learning. Language & Culture The increasing diversity of our nation’s student body demands that our teaching methods and approaches address differences among learners while ensuring a quality education for all. Our work seeks to enhance the capacity of educators to provide culturally responsive education to students from linguistic, cultural, and racial groups traditionally underserved by existing systems. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program offers professional development training, printed resources, and evaluation services that help schools and districts determine whether their curriculum and programs are effective in teaching a diverse student body. Leadership Development Implementing reform requires effective leadership at the site and district level. Developing effective leadership skills and working with a mentor enable the site-based leader to make meaningful changes that better serve educators and students. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program has a variety of resources to help individuals develop and sustain the skills necessary for development and support of effective leaders in science and math education. Mathematics To succeed in providing our children with a rich foundation in mathematics, educators need: curriculum that works and supports standards, innovative teaching methods, professional development to enhance practice, and the tools to assess whether the students are learning what they are being taught. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program provides all of these resources, as well as comprehensive evaluation services to gauge the impact of math programs at the school or district level. Partnerships The power of collaborative work is well documented; in many cases, the more information and effort are shared in the development of a goal, the greater the achievement. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program often partners with other organizations to share resources, build capacity to reach mutual goals, and achieve a greater measure of impact in our work. School Reform The process of reform invites the examination of school-wide systems and structures as well as classroom practices, curriculum, and assessment. The goal of reform is to raise student achievement levels by determining what works for student success and bringing more of it into the learning process. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program supports whole school and systemic reform by providing our clients with technical assistance, professional development, and training that enable schools to better serve the needs of their students. Science To succeed in providing our children with a rich foundation in science, educators need: curriculum that works and supports standards, innovative teaching methods, professional development to enhance practice, and the tools to assess whether the students are learning what they are being taught. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program provides all of these resources, as well as comprehensive evaluation services to gauge the impact of science programs at the school or district level. Standards The educational landscape of the U.S. has progressively become more focused on what and how students are learning. To this end, many states and school districts have implemented standards defining what students should know and be able to do as a way to guide the curricula. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program provides technical assistance to states and districts in the development of math and science standards, and has projects which support school communities in implementing and aligning curriculum to specific standards. While some of our work focuses on revealing how well individual students or workers are learning or performing, other work is directed at broader concerns of accountability and program or school success. Teacher Professional Development Good teachers are continuous learners, expanding their repertoire of teaching strategies and their knowledge of content. WestEd's Math, Science, and Technology Program offers numerous professional development programs and resources for teachers, as well as for the professional developers who help teachers improve the impact of their teaching. The intent of our professional development programs is to empower educators as agents of change – in their classrooms and in their school communities – and to give them the tools to empower their students. Technology Understanding the way technology works can vastly impact a student’s life. The ability to use a computer and to navigate the Internet for learning are critical skills for today’s students. Math, Science, and Technology Program has developed a number of online resources for teachers and students. We offer an online environment for educators to discuss ideas and calendar events,Web-based curriculum that invites interaction, and other vital tools for teachers, parents and students to incorporate current technology in their everyday lives.