Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC)

WestEd leads the operation of the Western Educational Equity Assistance Center (WEEAC), which is one of four Equity Assistance Centers (EACs) funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide technical assistance and training—upon request from school districts, tribal, and state education agencies—to promote equitable education opportunities and resources.

Authorized under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the WEEAC plays a vital role in ensuring that all students have equitable access to high-quality education, regardless of their race, sex, national origin, or religion. By law the Center serves Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawai’i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.  

WestEd operates WEEAC in collaboration with two partners, the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) and Attendance Works. PREL provides education research, development, and training to the Pacific region. Attendance Works is the nation’s leading resource for closing equity gaps by reducing chronic absenteeism. 

Our staff works closely with both PREL and Attendance Works to draw from best practices, research, and key partnerships to help state, tribal, and local education organizations build capacity to center equity effectively in their systems, resources, and decision-making.  

Our Center’s approach recognizes that everyone benefits—families, communities, states, and the nation—when equitable and meaningful opportunities to succeed in school are available to every child. By providing targeted and intensive technical assistance to state and local agencies, the WEEAC works to ensure these opportunities.  

With our partners, our staff bring significant expertise to the region in the following areas: 

• content expertise on issues related to desegregation; 
• efficient project management; 
• technical expertise in delivering federally funded technical assistance; 
• deep knowledge of the region; and 
• exceptional partnerships with federally funded centers, including a robust network of Comprehensive Centers and Regional Educational Laboratories.  

In the first year of operation, we look forward to increasing collaboration and coordination with other federal agencies and making information about our assistance more accessible—all in service of increasing equity in education for learners from all walks of life. 

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