The Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (CSAA) at WestEd strives to support balanced, coherent, and efficient systems of teaching and learning. For this reason, we provide a comprehensive portfolio of research-informed resources, high-quality technical assistance, and services designed to support meaningful improvement of student learning. Read more.
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Content-Rich Library of Resources
The Resource Library contains curated knowledge, tools, and guidance to ensure all educators have access to high-quality information.
High-Quality Services from WestEd
WestEd creates customized, research-based solutions that fairly and accurately assess student performance, and provides guidance for educators and policymakers on making the best use of results.
Spotlights
Spotlights provide targeted explorations of specific need areas or issues, providing helpful guidance in solving pressing challenges for states, districts, and schools.
News & Events
Center on Standards, Assessment, and Accountability
WestEd has launched the Center on Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (CSAA) to build upon the expertise and technical assistance work and resources previously provided to states through the Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation (CSAI). The goal of the Center remains to implement student-focused accountability systems that are customized and research-based to deliver fair and […]
Knowledge, Skills, and Know-How: Cognitive Loading in Large-Scale NGSS Assessment
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) challenge traditional ways of measuring cognitive load. Under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), assessments aligned to NGSS must incorporate items representing a range of cognitive complexities. The Delaware Department of Education (DOE) recently met this challenge when they modified the Task Analysis Guide in Science (TAGS). TAGS is […]
Formative Assessment Learning Opportunities
Two-day Formative Insights Summer Institutes deliver unique, hands-on professional learning opportunities for both practitioners and school leaders seeking to improve student outcomes across subject areas. Institutes focus on transformational instructional practices that keep students motivated and equipped to monitor and direct their own learning. One of the primary goals of formative assessment is to help […]