WERA/OSPI 2025 Annual Conference

Pre-Conference Sessions

Downtown Tacoma Marriott Hotel

December 10, 2025

WERA is offering thirteen pre-conference sessions across two time blocks.

Morning Sessions: 9:00-12:00

1. What's Possible ~ Opportunities for System Transformation with the New HSBP Platform.
Presenter: Kim Reykdal, Graduation & Pathways Preparation Director; Abby Anaya Bedell, HSBP Program Supervisor; Jen Appleyard, Director of Data Governance; Alyssa Nguyen, Data Consultant, OSPI; and Alicia Buxton, SchoolLinks
This half-day pre-conference session will empower participants to systematize the use of HSBP platform information to facilitate partnerships and connections that create opportunities for students, and streamline existing workflows to increase efficiency and improve postsecondary outcomes. Additionally, all participants will build understanding about and confidence in how Washington’s K-12 public education students, staff and families and related educational, college and industry partners will benefit from the transition to the new universal HSBP tool, SchooLinks.

2. Prompt Alchemy: Designing AI Assistants & Agents on the Fly.
Presenters: Kris Hagel, Chief Information Officer, and James Cantonwine, Director of Research & Assessment, Peninsula School District
Turn a single prompt into a full-service helper. In this fast-paced, hands-on session we’ll demystify prompt chaining—the art of linking prompts so an AI can carry out multi-step tasks like cleansing MTSS data, drafting reports, or sending smart reminders. You’ll watch us build an assistant from scratch, explore free and low-cost platforms, and leave with plug-and-play templates plus a rubric for evaluating your own chains’ accuracy, ethics, and impact.

3. Supercharging Tier 1 Instruction: Strategies to get more growth from all students, in all subjects, at all levels.
Presenter: Gene Kerns, Chief Academic Officer, Renaissance Learning
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t intervene your way out of a Tier 1 problem.” This is certainly true given that strong core instruction is the foundation of an effective MTSS implementation.  Yet, few schools meet the age-old rule-of-thumb of 80 percent of students progressing appropriately solely with Tier 1 services.  This session will focus on research-based ways to supercharge daily instruction that can be implemented at any grade level and in any content area and how administrators can support their implementation. Topics of focus will include the following
• The potential of formative assessment to increase student performance
• Specific instructional strategies that can be easily and immediately implemented
• The over-looked connection between formative assessment and student motivation
• Special considerations for those in leadership roles about how to support implementation

4. Before Data Speaks, It Needs a Script: How to Successfully Gather Data, From Request to Results.
Presenters: Kaitlin Throgmorton, Senior Data Governance & Operations Specialist, Matt Borda, Research Scientist, Dani Fumia, Senior Research Scientist, Natasha Rosenblatt, Senior Data Governance and Operations Specialist at ERDC/OFM
Come learn the theory and practice of successful data gathering, including sampling, cohort-building, and data minimization. Led by the Education Research and Data Center (ERDC), we’ll use our expertise in facilitating data requests to show you how to construct a better research dataset. This interactive session includes short talks, activities with practice datasets, and small-group discussion. By the end, you’ll know how to select an optimal population and timeline for your project, minimize data to privacy/security standards, make a data request, and explain your choices in your results.

5. Best Practices for English Language Proficiency Assessment Implementation.
Presenters: Sharon Coward, English Language Proficiency Assessment Coordinator, OSPI; Virginia Morales, Assistant Director, Multilingual Education, OSPI; Derek Tucci, Assistant Director of Assessment, Northshore School District; Quiana Hennigan, Student Assessment Coordinator, Everett School District
An interactive exploration of best practices in managing English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessments, this session will provide district assessment coordinators and program staff with an opportunity to engage in collaborative conversations around celebrating successes and overcoming barriers with ELP test administration, as well as sharing strategies and resources to increase effectiveness in managing ELP assessments.

6. WERA Education Journal Deep Dive.
Presenters: Anthony Smith, Associate Professor, School of Educational Studies, UW Bothell; John Steach, the Center for Educational Effectiveness; Wendie Lappin Castillo, Central Washington University; Andy Boyd, North Central ESD 171; Chad Gotch, Washington State University; David M. Besterci, Rural school district in eastern Washington; Naomi Jeffery Petersen, Central Washington University
Meet and hear from the authors from the 2025 WERA Education Journal. Each author will present a summary of their article follow by time for facilitated questions and discussions. The topics include SEL through universal design, how a syllabus can foster a supportive campus environment, collaborative science education, school funding impact on the superintendency, and advancing literacy education. There is something for everyone in this session.

7. Your Data is Secondary to your Data Culture: Developing and Sustaining a Scalable, Positive Team Data Culture.
Presenter: RJ Monton, Lead Consultant, Monton Consulting
Join this presentation to engage in collaborative learning with colleagues. You will investigate strategies to develop a positive team data culture that is not only spreadable, but scalable. This will be an interactive session where we will be introduced to multiple tools and strategies, then work with other session participants to develop plans to adapt for unique local contexts. From this all participants will be able to leave with tools and general action plans to begin to develop, sustain, spread, or scale a positive data culture at the local level.

 Afternoon Sessions: 1:00-4:00

8. Designing Dashboards That Drive Equity and MTSS.
Presenter: Josh Zarling, Director of District Data Services, Carmen Carrillo and Rex Cory, Tacoma Public Schools
In this hands-on session, you will create your own Power BI student report using real data and guided support. Ideal for educators, leaders, and data teams, whether you are new to Power BI, experienced, or looking to strengthen your current tools, you will leave with a custom report and new ideas. Learn how Tacoma’s live WSIF reports support MTSS and help uncover inequities using Street Data principles to drive equity-focused, real-time decision making.  Please bring a laptop with Power BI Desktop installed. Support will be available for anyone who needs help with installation.

9. Centering Racial Equity Across the Data Life Cycle: AISP's Updated Toolkit.
Amy Hawn Nelson, Director of Training & Technical Assistance, University of Pennsylvania
Join us for an interactive session introducing the newly updated Toolkit for Centering Racial Equity Throughout Data Integration (2025). This essential resource offers practical guidance for anyone working with data, with positive and problematic practices through each stage of the data life cycle. We’ll also explore the companion Workbook, designed to help you put equity principles into practice, and examples of participatory governance.  Whether you’re a data professional or a community leader, you’ll leave with actionable strategies to center racial equity at every stage of your data work.

10. Creating Surveys that Deliver Insight and Action.
Presenter: Hilary Loeb, Independent Consultant, Hilary Loeb Consulting
Survey design is a multistage process that requires attention to many details and choices. In this interactive training, participants will learn how to develop questions that accurately measure experiences, behaviors and beliefs. The workshop will address strategies to create a meaningful sample, increase response rates and report survey findings to a wide range of audiences. The facilitator will share a range of free resources to support further learning, including survey questions, data visualization guides and data coaching activities.

11. Anatomy of a Mixed Methods Study.
Presenter: John Steach, CEO, The Center for Educational Effectiveness
This session was developed as part of a Western Washington University Quantitative Research class to immerse participants in the frameworks behind designing and executing a mixed methods research study. The Center for Educational Effectiveness Outlier Study from 2020 is used to guide the discussion and exploration of each element from the overall plan to regression analysis, Z scores, residuals, and focus groups.

12. Creating a Foundation for Data-Driven Growth.
Presenter: Amy Jefferis, Senior Director, Assessment Implementation, Curriculum Associates
Empower educators and leaders to drive student success through data-driven improvement. This session covers foundational elements of a program-agnostic, district- or school-wide data literacy process. Participants will learn to evaluate data sources critically, analyze data effectively, and collaboratively set instructional priorities. Emphasis is placed on engaging diverse stakeholders in transparent, trust-building data conversations. Through practical strategies and modeling, attendees will develop action steps to improve instruction and sustain long-term data literacy efforts.

13. Navigating the Shifting Landscape: Immigration Reform and its Impact on Education.
Presenters: Maeghan Bowman, Director- Multilingual Education, Auburn School District; Jennifer Paterson McLaughlin, Senior Program Manager, Youth & Education, International Rescue Committee
Recent shifts in immigration policies and enforcement have created a complex environment for educational institutions and community partners. This session will explore the multifaceted impacts of these reforms, examining ways in which we can understand and address the resulting challenges. We will delve into the effects of uncertainty on students, families, and staff; the implications of suspended financial support; the impact on school enrollment; and the critical role of trauma-informed practices in supporting those affected.