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Home How We Help Educational Leadership and Systems Design

Strengthening Leadership to Improve Teaching and Learning

Delivering tailored professional learning and support for education leaders across education systems

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Effective educational leadership is central to improving school and system performance. WestEd partners with schools, districts, and state agencies to provide high-quality professional development for education leaders at every level.  

We work to enhance leadership capacity, refine system processes, and improve instructional support, all aimed at better outcomes for students. Our tailored, job-embedded services are grounded in research and designed to align with your organizational goals and priorities. 

Our Capacities

We equip school and district leadership teams with the skills, tools, and processes to drive improvement and efficiency. Our networked approach supports both site-level and systems-level leaders in advancing school goals. 

Featured Service

School Leadership Team Network 

We help school and district leaders implement effective systems that enhance instructional leadership and overall school performance. Leaders learn to identify the “why” of their work and focus school missions on results and values. A key outcome of the network is creating a theory of action to lead short cycles of improvement.    

Featured Service

Supervisors of Principals Academy 

Our teams support the development of principal supervisors and local education agency (LEA) leaders in both public and charter school systems. This tailored professional learning program can be implemented statewide, within specific regions, or for school districts. Continuing education or graduate school credits are possible. 

We offer tailored services for LEA​ and county administrators, including coaching, evaluation support, and opportunit​ies to share solutions across systems. These programs help strengthen oversight and guidance for schools. 

Featured Project

​​​Executive Coaching for School and District Improvement

Personalized coaching that supports school and district leaders in strengthening systems, driving instructional improvement, and implementing sustainable, research-based strategies for continuous growth in leadership capacities.

Featured Project

Conditions for Learning and Development: Peer Collaboratives for Educational Leaders

We provide tailored support to school district, regional, and state education teams through workshops, peer learning, and direct coaching. These collaboratives help education leaders explore and apply strategies to strengthen learning conditions, student and staff well-being, and systemic supports.

Through customized workshops and tools, we help education leaders assess and strengthen their leadership practices. These services are designed to be immediately applicable and support continuous improvement. 

Featured Project

Leadership Playbook

This is a​​ ​practical workshop series designed to build leadership capacity in a range of school support functions​     ​—from instruction to operations—with the skills and strategies to strengthen systems and improve student outcomes. 

Featured Project

Leading From the Middle

LEA leaders will gain skills, strategies, and tools to improve opportunities for all learners districtwide. WestEd works collaboratively to help leaders face the reality of constant chang e while learning effective leadership and team development strategies.

WestEd supports leaders in using data to guide planning, evaluate progress, and inform decision-making. Our structured approach helps translate data into actionable strategies to improve teaching and learning. 

Featured Project

Leading Data Conversations

Our professional learning series supports school and district leaders as they improve their ability to facilitate data team meetings. Leaders practice using an observation rubric to improve their ability to leverage their school or systems. Throughout the professional learning leaders will plan and practice facilitation practices to accelerate effective data team meetings.

Featured Project

The Four Domains Comprehensive Assessment of Leadership for Learning Survey 

We work with you to measure and support professional growth, leadership development, and comprehensive school improvement planning. Using a tailored survey, we help you overcome challenges, uncover opportunities for support, and inform improvement plans relative to four key domains.

​​​In addition to direct service, we partner with districts, charter organizations, and state education agencies to evaluate and strengthen leadership systems. Our research services help test new models and refine existing practices. 

Featured Project

Educational Leadership and System Design Website

We conduct policy-relevant research on what works for principal evaluation, preparation, and professional development. Our services can be fully customized to meet the needs of leaders and their system​s​.​

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Featured Services and Projects

Educational Leadership and System Design Website

Visit our dedicated website to learn more about our services that are designed to help develop educators’ capacity to support principals, assistant principals, and central office staff members.
Service

School Leadership Team Networks

Our School Leadership Team Network for Instructional Leadership brings school and district leaders together to learn, practice, and grow in their roles.
Service

Transformational Leadership Coaching for School and District Improvement

WestEd delivers personalized coaching and professional learning designed to enhance your school and/or district leadership practice through reflection, analysis, and action planning.
Service
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Insights & Impact

What Principals Can Do Blog Post

BlogArticles

What Principals Can Do to Cultivate a School Climate in Which Disciplinary Literacy Thrives 

Education Leaders Collaborating

BlogArticles

Cut the Clutter: How Nevada Is Changing Reporting Requirements to Support Smarter School Funding 

School administrators meeting

BlogArticles

The Value of a Systems Review for Catalyzing Districts’ Systemic Improvement

High school teacher with two students in biology class

BlogArticles

Leveraging District Leadership to Improve Science Education Outcomes

a group of educators collaborating

BlogNews Releases

New Book to Support Transformational Leaders with School Improvement

Photo of teacher.

BlogArticles

21 Practices for Effective Principal Leadership

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Resources

Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.

WestEd Perspectives Collection

WestEd Perspectives Collection
BTS Collections Page

Building a Brighter Future: WestEd Resource Collection for Thriving Learners, Empowered Communities
cover image

Enhancing Organizational Impact: A Self-Assessment for Systems Effectiveness
A School Leader's Guide to VITAL Collaboration Facilitating Evidence-Driven Inquiry in PLCs to Improve Teaching and Learning by Kevin Perks

A School Leader’s Guide to VITAL Collaboration: Building and Sustaining PLC Systems That Improve Teaching and Learning

Systems Change at WestEd: Six Guiding Principles
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Featured Experts

Ayele Dodoo

Ayele Dodoo

In her nearly 30 years in education, Ayele Dodoo has taught and led at the school, district, and state levels. These experiences have solidified...
Expert
Matthew Clifford

Matthew Clifford

Matthew Clifford oversees a portfolio of research, policy, and professional development projects focused on educational leadership workforce development and sets strategy for business development....
Expert
Photo of Lauryn Fullerton

Lauryn Fullerton

As a Professional Learning Designer and Coach for WestEd’s Educational Leadership and Systems Design team, Lauryn Fullerton is focused on partnering with school and...
Expert

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