Partner Profile
NextGenScience WestEd
Empowering educators to transform science teaching, learning, and leadership.
NextGenScience WestEd was approved for the PLPG in February 2021.
Rivet Education evaluates the three sections marked with the checkmark icons. All other details are self-reported, so we recommend confirming them directly with each partner.
How are partners selected for the PL Partner Guide?
OUR TEAM
11–20 facilitators/coaches
11-25% are non-white
WHERE WE WORK
We have worked here
We are also willing to work here
WHO WE ARE
NextGenScience at WestEd provides services to improve the design of quality, coherent K–12 programs that align science standards, instructional materials, professional learning, and assessments to support meaningful science experiences for all students. NextGenScience supports school system leaders to lead their selection of high-quality materials and to plan for successful materials implementation. This includes NextGen TIME, a suite of professional learning tools and processes for collaborative, evidence-based evaluation of science materials.
TYPES OF SUPPORT WE OFFER
Rivet Education evaluates this information
- Adopting an ELA curriculum
- Adopting a math curriculum
- Adopting a science curriculum
- Initial implementation
- Ongoing implementation support for teachers
- Ongoing implementation support for leaders
What are these phases?
Types of districts that we have experience working with
- Traditional District
- Charter
- Private
- Parochial
- Urban
- Suburban
- Rural
- Fewer than 2,500 students
- 2,500 to 10,000 students
- 10,000 to 50,000 students
- 50,000 to 100,000 students
- More than 100,000 students
- Greater than 60% of economically disadvantaged students
- Greater than 20% of English language learners
- Greater than 20% of students with disability
- Greater than 80% students of color
Why is this important?
OUR CURRICULUM EXPERTISE
As a partner who exclusively supports the adoption phase of curriculum, Rivet does not evaluate their expertise in any particular high-quality instructional materials.
This partner's approach and services
Sample scopes of work
What are these scopes?
How we address equity
Equity is an attribute of NextGenScience’s professional learning because it is designed to engage all participants using adult learning research practices. Professional learning sessions mirror strategies we hope K-12 students experience, including using multiple modalities to engage in learning.
Equity is also an outcome: A selection process that includes buy-in of educators at all levels, clear criteria including cultural relevance, and careful evaluation of evidence leads to the best materials possible and buy-in to use them. Studies indicate that quality materials coupled with professional learning improves student outcomes at scale, particularly those living in poverty and from non-dominant communities.
Why is this important?
How we build district capacity
High-quality instructional materials are foundational to a district’s instructional improvement strategy. We work with our partners to deeply understand the features of materials designed for today’s science standards and how these materials have an impact on student learning. Our curriculum adoption process builds consensus among stakeholders across the school system and supports leaders to prepare for a successful launch of the curriculum, including planning to pilot and collect data on the use of materials.
Why is this important?
