Overview
Bryan Hemberg is a national expert in standards and assessment implementation, focusing on developing systemic capacity within and across education systems to improve teaching and learning practices. With over 20 years of experience in education policy and assessment, Hemberg partners with education leaders to implement meaningful reforms that drive improved student outcomes, foster educator growth, and promote greater equity in educational systems. As Director of the Assessment for Learning team, Hemberg leads WestEd’s partnerships with clients to build student and educator agency and continuously improve the use of evidence-based knowledge, policies, and practices for teaching and learning.
Hemberg additionally serves as Associate Director of the Region 15 Comprehensive Center at WestEd, building the capacity of the SEAs serving the 8 million students of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah. His collaborative, student-centered approach ensures that state strategies align with educational goals and support real-world learning outcomes. Hemberg also leads WestEd’s Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability (CSAA), providing technical assistance, research, tools, and other resources to inform national and local policy and practice decisions about standards, assessment, and accountability.
Hemberg’s commitment to equitable, evidence-based education practices stems from his diverse background in the field. At the American Institutes for Research, he directed the development of state alternate assessment programs, which aligns with his current focus on inclusive assessment strategies. His research experience at UCLA’s centers for evaluation and testing strengthened his expertise in data-driven decision-making. Hemberg’s journey in education began as a special education teacher at Dr. George Washington Carver middle school in Los Angeles, instilling in him a deep understanding of classroom realities and the importance of tailored, accessible learning opportunities for all students.
Education
- MA in special education, Loyola Marymount University
- BA in psychology, University of Michigan
Select Publications
Center for Standards, Assessment, & Accountability. (2023). State of the States: Assessments [Issue brief]. https://csaa.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CSAA-SoS_Assessments_2023.pdf
Center for Standards, Assessment, & Accountability. (2023). State of the States: PreK assessments/early childhood education [Issue brief]. https://csaa.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CSAA-SoS_PreK_2023.pdf
Center for Standards, Assessment, & Accountability. (2023). State of the States: Standards [Issue brief]. https://csaa.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CSAA-SoS_Standards_2023.pdf
Center for Standards, Assessment, & Accountability. (2023). State of the States: High school graduation requirements [Issue brief]. https://csaa.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CSAA-SoS_GradReq_2023.pdf
National Center on Educational Outcomes. (2021). The 95 percent state assessment participation requirement: Current landscape, state challenges, and recommended strategies (NCEO Report 429). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED616096.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2019, March). CSAI Update: Assessing English learners under ESEA, as amended by ESSA [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED597329.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2019, February). CSAI Update: Ethnic studies standards – statewide initiatives [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED597332.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2018, March). CSAI Update: Using student assessment data to support decision-making [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588492.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2018, March). CSAI Update: Valid and reliable assessments [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588476.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2018, March). CSAI Update: Selected alternatives for assessing college and career readiness [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588469.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2018, March). CSAI Update: Standards alignment to curriculum and assessment [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588503.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2018, January). CSAI Update: State scan of professional learning activities [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588473.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, December). CSAI Update: English language proficiency assessment: Assessment administration for newly arrived students under ESSA [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588509.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, July). CSAI Update: Peer review of state assessment systems outcomes report [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588468.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, July). CSAI Update: New Mexico kindergarten teachers’ use of kindergarten entry assessment data [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588467.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, April). CSAI Update: Key considerations for inclusion of school quality/student success indicators in state accountability systems [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588454.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, March). CSAI Update: Accountability requirements for subgroups of students [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588456.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2017, January). CSAI Update: Integrating speaking and listening standards into instruction – A review of resources [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588465.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2016, December). CSAI Update: States’ content standards revision processes [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588498.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2016, September). CSAI Update: High school graduation requirements in a time of college and career readiness [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED570363.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2016, June). CSAI Update: School climate and stakeholder engagement measures [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588493.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2016, June). CSAI Update: Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten assessments [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588480.pdf
Center on Standards and Assessment Implementation. (2016, May). CSAI Update: Assessment opt-out [Issue brief]. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED588462.pdf
National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST). (2008, May). Using data and big ideas: Teaching distribution as an instance of repeated addition (CRESST Report 734). https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED502631.pdf
