Barbara Jones is a Professional Learning Specialist for WestEd. She brings expertise in formative assessment, culturally and linguistically responsive instruction, Indigenous education, and professional development. Jones’ work centers on providing technical assistance and supports to states and districts in using formative assessment to improve teacher effectiveness.
Previously, as an education researcher at the Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Jones co-developed the Nevada High-Leverage Instructional Standards, the cornerstone of Nevada’s teacher effectiveness system. Her work provides educators at all levels with a model of teaching and learning that helps build capacity. She also reinforces the importance of encouraging student ownership of their learning so that students are treated as equal partners in the learning process.
Most recently, Jones developed a set of digital professional learning programs for teachers in formative assessment and culturally responsive instruction for Indigenous students. Jones is a former first grade teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree from University of California, Berkeley, and her master’s degree from UCLA.