Overview
At WestEd, we believe every child, youth, and adult should have success in school and the workplace. Aligned with this vision, and with a focus on equity and excellence, we are committed to transforming mathematics education into a building block—and not a barrier—for student success at every level of education.
Working in partnership with educators, district and state leaders, foundations and funding agencies, we aim to help educators expand access to quality mathematics pathways that boost achievement and prepare all students to succeed.
Our projects recognize the realities and demands of the classroom, and our commitment to continuous improvement drives everything we do. With our diverse team of experts and our multilevered approach to improving mathematics teaching and learning, we provide leaders at all levels of the system with evidence-based resources, tools, and training to support success for all learners.
Our work includes research and evaluation, development, education technology, professional learning, and technical assistance, reflecting more than 30 years of service to the field and tens of thousands of students served.
Work with us to create better outcomes and opportunities for all learners.
Our Work in Action
How the Early Math Initiative helps early learners enhance their skills for kindergarten
As part of an i3 grant, we helped public preschool programs in California address the readiness gap through use of effective curricula, professional development, and technical assistance. By providing equitable supports, the Early Math Initiative at WestEd is helping early learners build skills to thrive in elementary school.
Forging stronger paths to college with high school and college math readiness in Rhode Island
In 2019, the Rhode Island Department of Education partnered with our team to develop 9th and 12th grade mathematics readiness courses to help improve the numbers of students who attend—and complete—college. Learn how the course design, evidence-based pedagogy, and innovative learning platform have translated to improved student outcomes.
Reimagining college mathematics: Adoption of Quantway transformed student success
Milwaukee Area Technical College’s (MATC) math department worked with Carnegie Math Pathways at WestEd to rethink both the structure and pedagogical approach of their introductory math offerings. Using Carnegie Math Pathways’ Quantway program, the mathematics department introduced a new mathematics reasoning pathway for college credit and transformed their instructional approach, resulting in higher student success rates and a more enriching teaching experience for faculty.
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Featured Experts
Ann Edwards Ann Edwards is Director of Mathematics Education at WestEd, leading a team of researchers, curriculum developers, and service providers who are working to improve outcomes for underserved communities at the preK–12, postsecondary, and adult basic education levels. Edwards has more than 30 years of professional experience in secondary and collegiate mathematics teaching and research, curriculum development, mathematics cognition, and teacher learning and professional development from elementary to postsecondary levels. Edwards is also the Director of Carnegie Math PathwaysView Full Bio
José FrancoAs Codirector of Math Pathways & Pitfalls at WestEd Franco uses his K–12 mathematics pedagogy expertise todesign professional development for school and district teams. His focus is to concurrently enrich student mathematical comprehension and academic language development. Previously, Franco directed the EQUALS Program at the University of California, Berkeley. A former K–6 bilingual teacher, Franco has given presentations and published articles on family involvement, equity, mathematics education, and second language acquisition.View Full Bio
Alice Klein Alice Klein is a Senior Project Director for Mathematics Education at WestEd. Klein has more than 30 years of expertise in early mathematical development, focusing on interventions to enhance the knowledge and readiness for standards-based mathematics instruction for preschool and kindergarten children who have been underserved historically. She coauthored an early mathematics curriculum, developed the Child Math Assessment, and codeveloped the Screener for Early Number Sense.View Full Bio
Angela KnottsAngela Knotts has 18 years of mathematics education expertise as a teacher, leader, researcher, designer, and professional learning facilitator, specializing in mathematics content and pedagogical content knowledge, standards alignment; mathematical discourse, and the impact of identity, power, and agency in the classroom. She also works with schools and districts to help assess mathematics programs and improve student outcomes.View Full Bio
Rebecca PerryPerry has nearly 30 years of experience working at the intersection of research, policy, and practice to support teachers’ learning and instructional improvement with a strong focus on mathematics. As a Senior Program Associate for Mathematics Education at WestEd, Perry contributes to research, evaluation, and technical assistance projects, focusing on county office of education and district communities of practice, math and science standards implementation, teacher preparation, and teacher professional development. Perry publishes research on instructional assessment and improvement using quantitative and qualitative methods.View Full Bio
Bob RosenfeldBob Rosenfeld is a Senior Engagement Manager for Quality Schools and Districts at WestEd. He has over 20 years of experience providing coaching to state- and district- level leaders, principals, and teachers. He supports states, districts, and schools to create systems that enhance leadership, strengthen teaching, and increase student learning. He leads projects that support the review and implementation of local curricula, assessments, and innovative teaching practices. Rosenfeld is a former math and science teacher and is bilingual (Spanish and English). View Full Bio
Nanette SeagoNanette Seago serves as Senior Program Associate for Mathematics Education at WestEd. She is the principal investigator (PI) for Video in the Middle: Flexible Digital Experiences for Mathematics Teacher Education, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), and co-PI for NSF-funded investigations of the impact of professional development on implementation of geometry teaching practices. Seago has more than 45 publications, including video-based professional development materials, a book, and book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles, and has presented her research at national and international conferences. View Full Bio
Prentice StarkeyPrentice Starkey is Codirector of the Center for Early Learning and is Co-principal Investigator for research studies on the effectiveness of early childhood mathematics curricula. He has over 20 years of expertise in children’s early mathematical development. He published the first paper on the origins of numerical knowledge in infants in the journal Science and coauthored the curriculum, Pre-K Mathematics. His recent research focuses on socioeconomic and cultural influences on early mathematical development and education. View Full Bio
Kirk WaltersKirk Walters is the Senior Managing Director of both Mathematics Education and Improvement Science at WestEd, working on strategic resource development, quality assurance, and eminence-building activities. Walters currently leads a national impact study of a middle-school math program that promotes math, SEL, and citizenship outcomes; two studies of the implementation and impact of Illustrative Mathematics on teacher and student outcomes; and an R&D study of a video-based professional learning program for math coaches. Previously, Walters taught secondary math in urban public schools.View Full Bio
WestEd Bulletin
Stay up to date with the latest WestEd news, events, research, and leading voices to support your commitment to improving learning, healthy development, and equity in schools and communities.
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Join WestEd at the 2024 NCTM Annual Meeting & Exposition
Events / September 25, 2024
WestEd mathematics experts will present at the 2024 National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Annual Meeting & Exposition held September 25–28, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.
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Angela Knotts Presenting at the 56th NCSM Annual Conference
Events / September 23, 2024
WestEd Research Associate Angela Knotts will co-present with mathematics education experts from the Silicon Valley Math Initiative and the University of California, San Diego, at the 56th NCSM Annual Conference held September 23–25, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois.
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Research-Based Guidance for Operationalizing Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Education in Math
Insights & Impact / September 12, 2024
A new set of briefs provide strategies and practical tools to assist school leaders who are striving to integrate culturally responsive sustaining education into mathematics.
