WestEd researchers will be presenting with experts from Palo Alto Unified School District, Menlo Park City School District, San Joaquin County Office of Education, and the California Department of Education (CDE) at the Annual California Educational Research Association (CERA) Conference scheduled for November 3–5, 2025, in Riverside, California.
The conference theme this year is Empowering Educators Through Research and Data.
WestEd’s experts will present on a range of topics, including the following:
- Supporting English Learners’ Success in Science
- The Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners
- Supporting Broad Participation and Data-Driven Decision-Making
- Communication and Engagement With School Communities
- Data-Driven Math Acceleration
Add WestEd sessions to your conference calendar, and visit our exhibit booth, where you can meet our team and learn about our publications, professional learning opportunities, and research.
Follow WestEd on LinkedIn and Bluesky to share your insights from the conference!
WestEd Presentations
Monday, November 3
Supporting English Learners’ Success in Science With Integrated ELD: Leveraging the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments for English Learners’ Success in Science
Time: 1– 2:15 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room 1/2
Presenters: Meghan Bell (WestEd), Erik Frey, and Christine Snyder (WestEd)
Session Description: Enacting high-quality integrated ELD in science, where the ELD Standards and NGSS are used in tandem, is complex work. Participants will learn concrete strategies for supporting English Learners in rigorous science instruction by leveraging the CAST Interim Assessments. Guided by a science teacher at San Diego’s San Pasqual Academy, participants will see how formative assessment of both content and language is enhancing science instruction for youth who are at risk. Participants will gain skills in analyzing science language and learn ways to leverage the CAST Interim Assessment to improve teaching and learning for English Learners in their own contexts.
Data Literacy to Empower Educators of English Learners: The Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL) in Integrated/Designated ELD
Time: 2:45–4 p.m.
Location: Meeting Room 9
Presenters: Emily Ingram, Ben Katcher, Katherine Strach, Annie Duong, and Christine Snyder (WestEd)
Session Description: In this session, the CDE will highlight best practices in using the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL) to formatively assess English language proficiency in both integrated and designated ELD. Then, an 11th grade history teacher from Valor Academy High School in Los Angeles will present how he is using the OPTEL to monitor the language development of all English Learners, from newcomers to long-term English Learners, in content instruction. And in a conversation facilitated by WestEd, coordinators from Menlo Park City School District and San Joaquin County Office of Education will share best practices for building educators’ data literacy across systems.
DataVista as a Program Evaluation Tool: Supporting Broad Participation and Data-Driven Decision-Making
Time: 2:45–4 p.m.
Location: Raincross A/D
Presenters: Adriel Garcia (WestEd) and Erik Cooper (WestEd)
Session Description: This session explores how faculty, technical assistance providers, and workforce hub directors can use DataVista to analyze programs by TOP code, assess K12 dual enrollment data, and evaluate statewide initiatives like Vision 2030. Participants will learn best practices for framing inquiry questions, disaggregating data for equity analysis, and connecting insights across metrics. By demonstrating how performance in one area can impact others, the session highlights DataVista’s value in identifying systemic gaps and supporting data-informed decision-making that advances student success across California Community Colleges.
Tuesday, November 4
From Data to Dialogue: Revitalizing Communication and Engagement With School Communities
Time: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room 7/8
Presenters: Julie Webb (WestEd) and Tiffany Katanyoutanant (WestEd)
Session Description: Unlock the full potential of data to transform communication and engagement with your education partners and interest holders! Join us for a dynamic session designed for district and school leaders where we will review the key characteristics of effective local assessment systems, including the importance of informative systems for data-driven decision-making. Explore strategies to make data more accessible and easier to comprehend in your local context. Experience a “data makeover” and tools for fostering a data-use culture. This session will bolster your capacity to facilitate data-driven conversations with your communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, inspire, and lead!
Data-Driven Math Acceleration: Improving Outcomes Through PAUSD’s Standards-Aligned Math Validation Process
Time: 2:45–4 p.m.
Location: Raincross C
Presenters: Sarah Quesen (WestEd), Scott Firkins (WestEd), Guillermo Lopez, and Janine Penney
Session Description: In collaboration with WestEd, Palo Alto Unified developed the Math Validation Process (MVP) to assess middle school math acceleration readiness through a rigorous, standards-aligned assessment. This paper-and-pencil test for grades 5–7 evaluates conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and application, aligning with California’s math standards. By consolidating 5 years of math content into 3, the MVP offers students a clear pathway to demonstrate mastery and advance to higher level courses. MVP has successfully removed subjective gatekeeping, establishing transparent, equitable pathways for all students to access advanced math regardless of prior enrichment opportunities. This session explores the collaborative process with WestEd, effective communication strategies, and implementation practices that maintain academic rigor while expanding access.
Wednesday, November 5
The California Dashboard and the New Science Indicator: What to Know Now and How to Prepare
Time: 8:45–10 a.m.
Location: Meeting Room 7/8
Presenter: Meghan Bell (WestEd)
Session Description: Starting with the 2025/26 school year, the California School Dashboard will include a new indicator to show student performance on CAST summative assessments. Understanding how to interpret this indicator along with other assessment data is vital for supporting and improving science education in LEAs. This session will focus on the key concepts that are important to know now, including understanding how science assessment is different from the Smarter Balanced ELA and mathematics assessments, and how those differences may affect the use of data at your site.