School & District Improvement

All Kinds of Minds: Study of Schools Attuned and Mentor Applications of Schools Attuned
The results from a WestEd evaluation of a program to help struggling learners are helping the program's creators improve its effectiveness.

An Analysis of State Data on the Distribution of Teaching Assignments Filled by Highly Qualified Teachers in New York Schools
WestEd researchers analyze the distribution of highly qualified teachers in New York, particularly in rural schools.

An Analysis of Utah's K–3 Reading Improvement Program
Utah's Superintendent of Public Instruction asked WestEd's Regional Educational Laboratory West to review district and charter school participation during the first two years of the state's K-3 Reading Improvement Program.

Characteristics of Arizona School Districts in Improvement
This statistical profile of Arizona's school districts in improvement can inform the context for reform and assistance as the state rolls out and refines its district intervention strategies.

Characteristics of California School Districts in Program Improvement
WestEd researchers provide a statistical profile of California's Title I school districts in program improvement.

Evaluation of the Texas School Dropout Prevention and Reentry Program Grants
WestEd researchers evaluated Texas' effort to reduce the dropout rate and improve student academic outcomes in the state.

Examining Independent Study High Schools in California
This study examines California's independent study high schools — enrollment trends, the number and characteristics of schools and students, and teacher qualifications.

Formative Assessment Policies, Programs, and Practices in the Southwest Region
Researchers examined policies and programs in five Southwest Region states, suggesting a range of strategies to support the development and use of formative assessments.

High School Instruction With Problem-Based Economics
Read about this study, which evaluates the effectiveness of a problem-based instructional approach to high school economics, a required course for high school graduation in some western states.

Impact of Benchmark Assessments Aligned to State Standards on Student Achievement
Learn more about this study measuring the impact of benchmark assessments on student achievement in the state of Massachusetts.

La Frontera: Student Achievement in Texas Border and Nonborder Districts
This study provides policymakers with a data-driven profile of the education environment along the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, an area known as La Frontera.

Lessons in Character Program
This study examines the impact of Lessons in Character, an English language arts-based character education program.

Measuring Resilience and Youth Development: The Psychometric Properties of the Healthy Kids Survey
This study aims to improve resilience assessment and research so that educators can shape their school environment to promote academic resilience.

Rethinking High School
This series examines successful high schools nationwide and analyzes high school reforms in action.

The Distribution of Teaching and Learning Resources in California's Middle and High Schools
The most disadvantaged populations of California's middle and high school students are likely to have the least access to the resources necessary for learning. Find out why.

The Reenrollment of High School Dropouts in One Large, Urban School District
This study follows a cohort of first-time ninth graders in one large urban school district from 2001/02 to 2005/06 and documents dropout, reenrollment, and graduation rates.

The Status of State-Level Response to Intervention Policies and Procedures in the West Region States and Five Other States
This study informs and supports state policymakers and administrators in developing and implementing state-level response to intervention policies and practices.