Overview
We drive sustainable, transformational change by addressing systemic policy and fiscal barriers in early education, pre-K–12, tribal, and higher education at the state and local levels. Our goal is to actively promote and enable equitable ways to serve the whole child, family, and community.
Our team is deeply knowledgeable in resource allocation, applied research, partner engagement, and continuous improvement. Working within these domains, we apply strategies to illuminate opportunities to improve systems—including organizational, fiscal, and value systems—within states, regions, and local education agencies. Through a collaborative process, we determine how organizational structures, policies, resources, and processes can more effectively fulfill your institution’s defined goals.
WestEd’s statutory, regulatory, and funding knowledge positions us to engage state-level leaders and achieve high-level impact goals that intersect policy, finance, and systems change.
Strategic Resource Allocation
Improving how resources are allocated, distributed, and used in early childhood, pre-K-12, tribal and higher education to advance equity and support comprehensive system improvement.
Systems Planning
Supporting LEAs, states, and tribal governments in building effective policy structures—including finance, governance, and accountability—to support education and school-based health system improvement.
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Featured Experts
Lupita AlcaláLupita Cortez Alcalá is Director of Education Policy and Outcomes. She has more than 20 years of experience championing better educational outcomes for the children and adults of California, and more than a decade in government affairs for pre-K–12 and higher education. She regularly promotes and implements programs for early education, English Learners, migrant students, career pathways, Linked Learning, workforce, and STEM. Most recently, she served as the first Latina Chief Deputy Superintendent for the California Department of Education.View Full Bio
Kelsey KrausenKelsey Krausen is the Director of WestEd’s Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning team. With more than two decades of experience in education policy and administration, Krausen is dedicated to supporting improvement across all levels of the nation’s education system and ensuring that resources are allocated to meet student needs. Her areas of expertise include accountability systems, finance, and systems improvement.View Full Bio
Niki Sandoval Niki Sandoval (Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians) supports tribal leaders through strategic resource planning and implementation. Sandoval is former Education Director for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and Assistant Director for Community Services for Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. She brings rich expertise to her work with state, regional, and local education agencies in aligning their education policies, strategies, and accountability practices to achieve more equitable outcomes for students. View Full Bio
Jason WillisJason Willis is a Senior Fellow with WestEd’s Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning team. Willis has advised states, national education organizations, and commissions on the formation of funding, governance, and integrated service delivery for children, youth, and families. He provides support through research, policy analysis, and technical assistance to leaders across multiple child-serving agencies.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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WestEd Announces New Director of Strategic Resource Allocation and Planning Team
News / August 8, 2024
Kelsey Krausen has been selected to serve as the Director of the Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning team. With her extensive background in education policy, finance, and systems improvement, Krausen will oversee the work of the team which helps education leaders ensure strategic and equitable distribution of school funding. -
Spotlight on Rural Education: Addressing the Challenges to Support Student Success
Back to School / May 29, 2024
The resources in this Spotlight are aimed at educators in rural communities, supporting rural science teachers, considering 4-day school weeks in one rural community; and a podcast that focuses on the transformation of a small rural school district that’s gotten attention from education leaders all around the world. -
Summer Finance Training Helps School and District Leaders Navigate Complex Regulations
Insights & Impact / April 3, 2024
WestEd's 2024 Summer Finance Training Institutes equip school and district finance professionals with the tools necessary to adapt and thrive, ensuring that every student receives an equitable and high-quality education.
We have partnered with state, regional, and school district leaders nationwide to build organizational capacity for strategic resource use and systemwide improvement.
This is one of the most robust and thoughtful and meticulously researched studies on school finance in the country and in the history of school finance litigation. WestEd should be commended on this incredible body of work.
– Rick Glazier, Executive Director of the North Carolina Justice Center, in reference to WestEd’s North Carolina Education Finance Study
