
Improving Outcomes Through Tailored Support for Every Classroom, Every Learner
Providing direct and immediate support for systemwide school improvement and turnaround
Every school and district, no matter the starting point, deserves quality support grounded in evidence and systems thinking. WestEd provides customized, research-informed support that transforms schools, districts, and entire systems.
Our experts are practitioners and researchers who provide leadership coaching, drawing on a range of methodologies, including improvement science and the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement. We facilitate the selection and implementation of high-quality curriculum and instruction, while our professional learning, instructional transformation, school improvement, and family engagement services are trusted to produce improved outcomes across a wide range of content domains.
Our Capacities
WestEd is nationally recognized for developing and leading research-based services and resources that support comprehensive, systemic improvement for all schools to promote positive opportunities and outcomes for all students.
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The Center for School Turnaround and Improvement
The Center for School Turnaround and Improvement at WestEd works with state, district, and school leaders across the country to identify key areas for making sustained progress using the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement framework. We use an adaptable approach to school improvement that incorporates insights from successful turnarounds across the country while considering local school context.
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Needs Sensing and School Improvement Planning
We partner with school and district leaders to engage in rigorous needs sensing and help develop school improvement plans tailored to local contexts. Our process identifies pressing challenges and aligns with school accountability and improvement requirements, including those under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Using the Four Domains for Rapid School Improvement, we help promote systemic change that improves student outcomes.
We help school and district leaders strengthen teaching and learning by aligning instructional practices, curriculum materials, and assessments to support high-quality learning for all students. Our approach builds leadership capacity to guide instructional improvement, using practical tools and evidence-informed strategies to ensure that changes lead to measurable gains in student outcomes.
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K–12 Instructional Practice Coaching
WestEd’s K–12 Instructional Practice Coaching helps teachers and teachers deepen their instructional expertise through job-embedded, standards-aligned coaching tailored to local needs. Our experienced coaches partner with educators to strengthen classroom instruction, promote equitable learning outcomes, and build capacity for continuous improvement. Grounded in research and responsive to real-world challenges, this service supports schools in translating instructional goals into sustained, effective practice.
We provide professional learning experiences to help schools and districts build capacity to create effective, data-driven family engagement practices tailored to a variety of needs. Our services center student learning and build educator expertise through continuous improvement, fostering sustainable, evidence-based approaches.
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Family Engagement Essentials
Our research-based family engagement services equip educators with strategies and tools to build trust, communicate clearly, and partner with families to improve student learning and attendance, especially in high-need schools.
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Academic Parent–Teacher Teams
More than 3,000 schools across the country have implemented Academic Parent–Teacher Teams to provide a proven, evidence-based approach to strengthening home–school collaboration. By building strong relationships, setting clear learning goals, and equipping families with practical home-learning strategies, APTT engages educators and families to work together as trusted partners.
The multifaceted and interrelated aspects of school improvement can be daunting. If you are leading or managing a school improvement effort, WestEd provides comprehensive support through coaching, peer-to-peer learning, and related tools and publications.
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VITAL (Visibly Improve Teaching and Learning)
VITAL Collaboration™ is WestEd’s research-based professional learning communities framework to help teachers and school leaders grow and improve together through collaborative instructional inquiry. Our facilitators help school and district teams use evidence of student and teacher work to set goals for improving teaching and learning and to strengthen comprehensive school improvement implementation and planning.
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Conditions for Learning and Development: Peer Collaboratives for Educational Leaders
The Peer Collaboratives are workshops, peer learning and networking, and direct coaching and consulting events designed for school districts, regional education agencies, or state education agency teams and are tailored to participant needs. Participants will explore and implement strategies to strengthen conditions of learning, development, and well-being in their systems so that students and the adults who support them can thrive.

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More Related to This Focus Area
Featured Services and Projects
Family Engagement Services
VITAL Collaboration: Developing and Revitalizing Professional Learning Communities
Center for School Turnaround and Improvement
Four Domains CALL Survey for School and District Improvement
Comprehensive Needs Assessment for School and District Improvement
Comprehensive School Improvement Planning
Insights & Impact
BlogArticles
Lessons From a Rural School’s Path to Renewal
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.