Join WestEd science education experts as they present at the Council of State Science Supervisors (CSSS) Annual Conference, held April 12–15, 2026, in Anaheim, California.
Held annually, the CSSS conference brings together state-level science education leaders to discuss and collaborate on improving science education. The annual gathering includes presentations from leading science education researchers, CSSS leadership and committees, state leadership, and education and industry partners.
This year’s theme is “Leading the Way for Curious Classrooms, Authentic Assessment, and Innovative Instruction.”
In alignment with the conference theme, WestEd’s presentations will focus on a range of topics including
- the use of performance assessment to promote ambitious teaching practices and HQIM implementation,
- curriculum-based professional learning, and
- state science assessment redesign.
View details on WestEd’s presentations below. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to share your insights from the conference.
WestEd Presentations
Monday, April 13
Working Toward Scale: Professional Learning That Uses Performance Assessments to Cultivate Ambitious Teaching Practices
Presenters: Jill Wertheim (SCALE Science at WestEd), Miray Tekkumru-Kisa (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign), and Tali Lerner (San Diego USD)
Description: This presentation explores how performance assessments can be used in professional learning systems to develop ambitious, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned teaching practices at scale.
Changing the Status Quo of Educator Support: Moving From Unpacking Standards to Curriculum-Based Professional Learning
Presenters: Vanessa Wolbrink (WestEd), Erica Baker (Kentucky Department of Education), Amanda Prewitt (Kentucky Department of Education), Milo Maughan (Utah State Board of Education), and Brian Caine (Tennessee Department of Education)
Description: This presentation examines the shift from standards unpacking to curriculum-based professional learning, with perspectives from state leaders in Kentucky, Utah, and Tennessee.
Tuesday, April 14
Using Assessments to Promote and Monitor HQIM Implementation That Centers Students’ Ideas
Presenters: Jill Wertheim (SCALE Science at WestEd), Brian Caine (Tennessee Department of Education), and Andrea Berry (Knox County Schools)
Description: This presentation focuses on how assessment can be used to advance and track high-quality instructional materials implementation, keeping student thinking at the center.
Scaling Up Curriculum-Based Professional Learning: Opportunities and Challenges From the Perspective of State Leadership
Presenters: Vanessa Wolbrink (WestEd), Jenny Sarna (WestEd), Demetrius Roberts (Chester County Intermediate Unit & Pennsylvania Department of Education)
Description: State and organizational leaders share lessons learned and persistent challenges in scaling curriculum-based professional learning across systems.
Redesigning State Science Assessments for Meaningful Instruction: California’s Journey Toward Authentic Assessment
Presenters: Jill Grace (WestEd), Aneesha Badrinarayan (Education First), Josh Weisgrau (Digital Promise), and Deborah Atwell (Los Angeles County Office of Education)
Description: This session examines California’s work on redesigning state science assessments to be more instructionally meaningful and aligned with three-dimensional science learning.