In relentless pursuit of our mission to help all kids learn, the Policy and Advocacy team at NWEA elevates five key areas in which we seek to influence decision-making: informing the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, driving equity and innovation in assessments, supporting the reimagining of accountability, building and supporting a diverse educator workforce, and expanding opportunities to learn.

At NWEA, we understand that data from the assessments we create plays a critical role in supporting student-centered instruction, and in informing the systems, policies, and investments that support equal opportunity for all students to learn. As we partner with states and the districts to create systems that positively impact all students, we apply an equity lens to test design, content development, and integration of accessibility and accommodations.

At NWEA, we’re partnering with states to create balanced assessment systems that prioritize learning and teaching. It’s time for unified approaches that support educators in challenging every student, increase opportunity for schools and students to show growth, and drive the systems-level actions needed to foster educational equity. Reimagine assessment and accountability with us.

Learn how Nebraska Department of Education partnered with NWEA® to co-create a new, student-centered approach to statewide assessment by integrating district and state measures using an adaptive through-year assessment model. This comprehensive approach streamlines testing, prioritizes student engagement, provides timely instructional feedback, and accurately measures student performance over time.

When district and state assessments feel disconnected, value and purpose are questioned. Faced with challenges, Alaska DEED partnered with NWEA® to create an innovative statewide assessment system that would enable districts to continue administering MAP® Growth while reducing overall testing and increasing the value of summative tests. Learn how Alaska shifted from a stand-alone summative test to a balanced system focused on teachers and students.

Our early reading experts share straightforward, science-backed strategies educators can use right away to support early learners and improve reading outcomes.

NWEA research into student learning during the 2020–21 school year has confirmed what many suspected was true: COVID-19 school closures have exacerbated inequities in education. This eBook details the findings and offers pragmatic advice for reading and math instruction that can help teachers harness the power of growth mindset.