The Challenge
WestEd’s Formative Insights Team supports students, teachers, and school leaders to reframe daily instruction in ways that explicitly teach the skills and mindsets necessary to develop learner agency through formative assessment routines.
Formative assessment empowers educators and students to gather evidence of learning. WestEd’s approach focuses on equity and student agency, ensuring every learner feels valued. Our model fosters inclusive environments where students develop positive identities and share responsibility for learning.
What We Do
Formative Insights champions a transformative shift in educational practices. Our approach emphasizes the importance of embedding formative assessment into daily teaching, encouraging educators to view it as an ongoing, intentional process. This shift not only enhances learning outcomes but also nurtures a supportive culture where all educators, staff, and leaders play a vital role in fostering effective formative assessment practices.
Key Outcomes:
- Increased attendance
- Greater student participation and motivation
- Increased collaborative learning with peers
- Improved positive learner identities
- Greater student agency
By focusing on our guiding principles—learning culture, student identity, formative assessment, and student agency—we promote equity across schools and districts, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive in their educational journey.