Barbara Jones is a Research Manager at WestEd. She has expertise in the areas of rural education, formative assessment, culturally and linguistically sustaining education, adult learning, and balanced assessment systems. Jones’ work centers around resource development, research, and technical assistance for states and districts to support systems change and enhance student and community-centered education. She recently co-led the Region 15 Comprehensive Center’s Rural Educators' Community of Practice which served rural education leaders in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.