Cali Kaminsky

Overview

Cali Kaminsky provides national leadership in student-centered learning and formative assessment. She leads work focused on how formative assessment strengthens the student role in learning and advances equity by engaging teachers, leaders, and students in using evidence of learning to develop ecosystems that support the conditions for continuous improvement across school systems.  

Amplifying student agency and identity is at the center of Formative Insights, WestEd’s unique model of formative assessment. As Senior Program Manager of the Formative Insights team, Kaminsky helps educators cultivate inclusive learning environments where students develop positive learner identities and feel equipped and empowered to direct their own learning. Kaminsky leads state and district technical assistance and professional learning to support large-scale projects that expand and deepen teacher and leader agency through formative assessment, secondary reform, and student-centered systems. 

Prior to joining WestEd, Kaminsky served as an independent consultant, leading efforts in both the public and private education sectors in strategic policy development, comprehensive program design, interest holder engagement, and strategic planning. From 2011 to 2019, she led secondary school work at the Rhode Island Department of Education, supporting multiple flexible pathways toward a high school diploma, including personalized and proficiency-based learning approaches, student-centered learning, and work-based learning opportunities. Kaminsky is passionate about integrating policies, programs, and people to advance equity, innovation, and quality outcomes for all students. 

Education

• MA in urban education policy, Brown University  
• BA in psychology, University of New Hampshire 

Select Publications

Browning, A., Kaminsky, C., & Gerzon, N. (2022). Moving toward instructional coherence: How four popular student-centered approaches deepen identity, agency, equity, and community. WestEd. https://wested2024.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/23171851/Moving-Toward-Instructional-Coherence-Brief_ADA.pdf