3 High-Impact Themes from Spring 2025 Education Conferences

by Tatiana Ciccarelli, National Solutions Director

And with that, the Spring 2025 conference season has come to a close! The Edmentum team was delighted to end on a (mile) high note at the National Conference on Student Assessment in Denver just a few weeks ago!

State education leaders converged on the Mile High City with the intention of rolling up their sleeves and coming together with the shared values of data maximization and innovative collaboration. The Edmentum team was there in force and delighted to host a lunch-and-learn filled to capacity with conference attendees of all roles. During the hour, Dr. Michelle Barrett, SVP of Research, Policy & Impact, and I had the pleasure of facilitating a robust discussion regarding the unlimited potential at the intersection of data-informed planning and engaged state-level decision making.

While I attended several thought-provoking breakout sessions over the past few months, here are three high-visibility, high-impact themes that were consistent throughout:

 1. Cultivating Data Culture from State to Student

Effective application and integration of data doesn’t happen by accident or overnight. In fact, many sessions I attended homed in on the importance of a concerted data effort.

Cultivating a strong data culture in K–12 education is not just beneficial—it’s essential for driving meaningful and lasting improvement. When data is treated as a core part of a school’s identity, rather than an occasional task or compliance requirement, it becomes a powerful tool for understanding student needs, guiding instruction, and shaping strategic decisions. School leaders play a pivotal role in setting this tone. By modeling data-informed thinking, encouraging open dialogue about results, and making data use a shared responsibility, they lay the foundation for a culture where continuous improvement is the norm, not the exception.

Establishing this culture requires more than just access to reports—it demands intentional leadership, professional learning, and a commitment to reflection and collaboration. Leaders must start by building their own confidence with data, then extend that mindset to their teams through mentorship, shared goals, and consistent accountability. When educators see data as a resource for growth rather than a judgment, they are more likely to engage with it meaningfully. A thriving data culture empowers everyone in the school community to make informed decisions that support student success and equity. 

At the state and district levels, a cohesive data culture and identity are critical for aligning goals, ensuring consistency, and scaling best practices across districts and schools. When systems share a unified approach to data use—grounded in clarity, trust, and collaboration—they create the conditions for more equitable resource allocation, targeted interventions, and sustained academic progress. A strong, system-wide data culture not only supports individual schools but also strengthens the entire educational ecosystem.

 2. Efficient and Effective Assessment Integration

As many states have begun to plan for a reduction or reimagining of federal funds, one question continues to emerge at the forefront of many discussions: How do we do more with less? Once upon a time, having a large variety of solutions to choose from was seen as a badge of honor. Logging on to a state’s ed website often resembled a buffet, with apps upon apps and lists upon lists of choices. But, as we’ve seen over the past decade or so, having more doesn’t always equate to efficacy or efficiency. We also know that assessment to inform instruction and intervention is now a part of every large system and state’s educational framework. So, as we prepare for the future, we should consider maximizing our assessment so that it seamlessly integrates into core and/or supplemental solutions. The benefits of coherence—a streamlining and integration of solutions—in a large system should not be overlooked simply because the collective cannot afford to waste time with excessive testing or with solutions that don’t seamlessly integrate data and thus cost valuable instructional time.

With all that in mind, states and districts should look to an assessment that not only integrates seamlessly with a variety of instructional solutions—whether supplemental or core—but also drives measurable growth on those very same assessments. For example, Edmentum’s partnerships with NWEA MAP and Renaissance Star Assessments, along with a number of state assessment integrations, enable “less testing, more learning” by empowering schools to from personalized learning pathways using existing assessment data. This speeds the process of targeted intervention and has also been shown to significantly improve student performance.

 3. Partnering for the Future

Perhaps most importantly, now is the time for partnerships between systems and states and providers who are invested in longevity. 

In the evolving landscape of education—shaped by technological advancements, shifting student needs, and increasing demands for equity—partnerships between state education agencies (SEAs) and educational service providers have become more important than ever. These collaborations enable states to leverage specialized expertise, innovative tools, and scalable solutions that support schools and districts in meeting their goals. By working together, SEAs and service providers can co-design systems that are responsive, data-informed, and aligned with state priorities, ensuring that resources are used effectively and that all students have access to robust learning experiences. Such partnerships also foster agility, allowing education systems to adapt more quickly to emerging challenges and opportunities. 

At Edmentum, we are proud to not only partner for the current moment but also partner for the future, with an eye on the horizon beyond our current state and circumstance. With a strong belief in America’s tomorrow, we’ve partnered with organizations like America Succeeds and Interplay Learning as we’ve built an innovative, comprehensive career-connecting learning and trade prep solution for grades 6-12. Ensuring we have a prepared, prosperous workforce is a priority for Edmentum, and helping our communities thrive has never been more important. Read this article to learn more about partnerships that are reimagining secondary education through modern career-connected learning. 

About the author

With over 15 years in education, Tatiana Ciccarelli currently serves as National Solutions Director, Florida and New York, at Edmentum. Prior to this position, Tatiana was a Senior Strategic Consultant at NWEA, a division of HMH, where she supported the assessment and solution leadership teams to develop coherence among assessment, curriculum, and instruction in large scale accounts. A native New Yorker, Tatiana is from a long line of school leaders and educators, and brings that generational passion for learning into her work today.