Join WestEd’s assessment team at the 2025 California Assessment Conference (CAC), November 12–14, 2025, in Riverside, California.
The CAC conference hosts more than 1,000 teachers, site and district leaders, and assessment coordinators from across the state of California. Conference sessions feature teachers, assessment experts, and school and district leaders from California who have developed and implemented assessment systems and practices that support teaching and learning.
This year’s conference theme is “Assessment in Action: Sharing Strategies to Support Student Learning.”
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 Sessions
Wednesday, November 12
Supporting English Learners’ Success in Science With Integrated ELD: Leveraging the CAASPP and ELPAC Interim Assessments for Success in Science Instruction
Enacting high-quality integrated English Language Development (ELD) in science, where the ELD Standards and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are used in tandem, is complex work. Participants will learn concrete strategies for supporting English Learners in rigorous science instruction by leveraging science assessment materials provided by the state, such as the California Science Test (CAST) Interim Assessments. Guided by a science teacher from San Diego County Office of Education , participants will see how formative assessment of both content and language is enhancing science instruction for at-risk youth.
Time: 2–3:15 p.m.
Location: Raincross C/F
Presenters: Meghan Bell (WestEd), Erik Frey (East County Community Center, San Diego County Office of Education), and Christine Snyder (WestEd)
From Data Overload to Insight: Leading Coherent and Efficient Assessment Systems
Schools and districts invest in a variety of assessments without seeing resulting gains in student learning. This session will explore three strategies leaders can use to drive improvement in learning for all students: optimize the assessment system, support a culture for data-based inquiry, and build assessment literacy.
Time: 2–3:15 p.m.
Location: Ballroom B
Presenters: Jessica Arnold (WestEd) and Bryan Hemberg (WestEd)
Thursday, November 13
Assessment Leadership: Leading a Balanced, Comprehensive Assessment System to Improve Teaching and Learning
Despite abundant assessment data, many educators struggle to improve student outcomes. Research shows that 90 percent of teachers use data to adjust instruction, yet 30 percent feel unprepared to interpret results effectively. This gap highlights the need for assessment leadership. This session explores WestEd’s research-based framework for building comprehensive, balanced assessment systems that drive equitable learning outcomes. Participants will examine three core competencies: developing assessment vision and knowledge, engaging stakeholders in system evaluation, and building assessment literacy culture.
Time: 8:45–10 a.m.
Location: Raincross A/D
Presenters: Jessica Arnold (WestEd) and Bryan Hemberg (WestEd)
From Data to Dialogue: Revitalizing Communication and Engagement With School Communities
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 in which 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.
Time: 10:30–11:45 a.m.
Location: Raincross A/D
Presenters: Tiffany Katanyoutanant (WestEd) and Julie Webb (WestEd)
Friday, November 14
Improving Integrated and Designated ELD Using the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL): Formative Assessment for Teaching and Learning
In this session, the California Department of Education will present a new Canvas module on formative assessment using the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL) to improve integrated and designated ELD. A United States history teacher from Valor Academy High School in Los Angeles will also share examples of how he is using the OPTEL to monitor the language development of all English Learners, from newcomers to LTELs, in content instruction. Additionally, in a conversation facilitated by WestEd, coordinators from Menlo Park City School District and San Joaquin County Office of Education will share strategies for systems-level capacity building for this complex work.
Time: 9–10:15 a.m.
Location: Room 7, 8
Presenters: Geqigula Dlamini—California Department of Education; Annie Duong—San Joaquin County Office of Education; Ben Katcher—Valor Academy High School, Bright Star Schools; Christine Snyder—WestEd
WestEd’s Comprehensive Assessment Solutions
WestEd partners with California school districts and County Offices of Education to strengthen local assessment systems and advance teaching and learning. We provide comprehensive assessment literacy professional development, formative assessment capacity building, and rigorous assessment system evaluations to improve coherence and eliminate redundancies.
Our services include professional learning focused on CAASPP and ELPAC-OPTEL tools, effective early literacy assessment, and the building of data literacy that aligns with accountability requirements. We help educators translate data into actionable insights, establish data-informed decision-making cultures, and develop research-based assessment practices that advance learning for all students.
Visit WestEd.org/assessment to learn more.