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- NCEO Newsletter: October 2025 issueFormats: Online
This October issue of NCEO’s newsletter focuses on renewal, highlighting NCEO's 35-year history, commitment to innovation, and future partnerships. The article "35 Years of Impact" celebrates NCEO's three and a half decades as a national leader in assessment and outcomes for students with disabilities, noting our influence on policy and legislation. Our "New Web Publications" article details our move to an enhanced web-based format. This change significantly improves accessibility and adds user-friendly features. We also share "Technical Assistance Opportunities" for state education agencies (SEAs) seeking support to meet their assessment and outcomes goals. Finally, we feature three new NCEO reports (450–452) covering alternate assessments, communicating SSIP data, and current research on K–12 test accommodations.
Published: October 2025 - NCEO Newsletter: February 2021 issueFormats: Online
This issue highlights a new video series for parents of students with significant cognitive disabilities. The videos focus on various aspects of supporting the learning of their children at home. Currently available videos address routines at home, helping with academics at home, foundations of communications at home, and communications at home. This issue also highlights a new Brief that NCEO published on using pre-assessment to plan instruction for students with disabilities during distance education, as well as a review of the literature on literacy assessment and instruction practices for English learners with significant cognitive disabilities. Additionally, there is an article about eight tools which were developed with states that were members of several Peer Learning Groups (PLGs) organized by NCEO on topics related to addressing the 1% threshold on participation in alternate assessments based on alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS). Finally, we have a list of sessions that include NCEO staff who will be participating in the upcoming virtual Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Convention and Expo.
Published: February 2021 
NCEO Newsletter: June 2019 issueFormats: OnlineIn this issue, we highlight sessions in which NCEO will participate during the upcoming National Conference on Student Assessment in Orlando, Florida. We also highlight recent NCEO reports, including two that address expectations for students with disabilities—one a longer report that examines what we know in the context of policy, practice, and evidence from the implementation of reforms (Students with Disabilities in Educational Policy, Practice, and Professional Judgment: What Should We Expect?); and the second a brief that provides suggestions for policymakers, states, and technical assistance providers (Revising Expectations for Students with Disabilities). A new Data Analytics that provides national and state trends on students with disabilities and their categories of disability also is highlighted. A report that updates state graduation policies for students with disabilities concludes the NCEO reports highlighted in this issue. We conclude this issue by summarizing a new report from the DIAMOND Project, Additional Educators’ Perspectives on Classroom Implementation of Accessibility Features and Accommodations.
Published: June 2019
Lessons Learned About Instruction from Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in College and Career Ready AssessmentsFormats: PDFThe new large-scale assessments rolled out by consortia and states are designed to measure student achievement of rigorous college- and career-ready (CCR) standards. Recent surveys of teachers in several states indicate that students with disabilities like many features of the new assessments, but that there also are challenges. Many of these challenges are related to instructional issues that need to be addressed to improve student outcomes. This Brief was prepared to provide information and suggestions for state education agencies (SEAs) and other technical assistance (TA) providers who work with local education agencies (LEAs). It highlights four main challenges identified by the teachers, and then addresses the implications for instruction, the relationship to CCR standards, and the implications for TA providers.
Published: January 2016- NCEO Reports: Revisiting the Meaning of “Reduced Depth, Breadth, and Complexity” for AA-AAAS (#441)
Alternate assessments aligned to alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS) are designed and implemented for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Historically, these assessments have been described as reflecting reduced depth, breadth, and complexity. Yet, the meaning of these terms is often not defined. The purpose of this report is to provide: (a) an overview of relevant history and legislation that address depth, breadth, and complexity of AA-AAAS; and (2) questions for states to consider as they revise or develop new AA-AAAS. This information also can be useful for states submitting evidence for an existing AA-AAAS to the U.S. Department of Education peer review process.
Published: January 2024 
NCEO Reports: A Summary of the Research on Effects of Test Accommodations: 2015-2016 (#412)The purpose of this report is to present a synthesis of the research on test accommodations published in 2015 and 2016. We summarize the research to review current research trends and enhance understanding of the implications of accommodations use in the development of future policy directions, to highlight implementation of current and new accommodations, and seek to draw valid and reliable interpretations when accommodations are used in testing situations. The literature described here encompasses empirical studies of score comparability and validity studies as well as investigations into accommodations use, implementation practices, and perceptions of their effectiveness. As a whole, the current research body offers a broad view and a deep examination of issues pertaining to assessment accommodations.
Published: November 2019
NCEO Policy Directions: Rethinking Basic Assumptions of Test Development - Assessment Frameworks for Inclusive Accountability Tests (#17)This year 2003 report discusses how to incorporate new assumptions about teaching and learning coming out of standards-based reform so that assessments can both meet the requirements of NCLB accountability and give better information about performance of students in prescribed content. This includes compatible classroom diagnostic assessments and clarification and articulation of content standards.
Published: November 2003
Learning Opportunities for Your Child Through Alternate Assessments: Alternate Assessments Based on Modified Academic Achievement StandardsFormats: PDFA guide helping parents of students with disabilities understand a new state alternate assessment allowable under No Child Left Behind. While few states are currently offering this assessment option, some will be developing it in the coming years. Parents will need to understand what it is and how to decide if it is the right option for their child.
Published: 2007
NCEO Reports: Guidebook to Including Students with Disabilities and English Learners in Assessments (#420)This report provides 10 lessons about how to ensure inclusive assessment practices for students with disabilities and English learners. In addition to the 10 lessons, it provides foundational information on the characteristics of these students that require consideration during all phases of assessment design, development, and implementation. The focus of the Guidebook is large-scale summative assessments rather than interim and formative assessments; it does not address accountability considerations. The purpose of the Guidebook is to remind all assessment, special education, and other personnel in state departments of education of the lessons that have been learned, and to share those lessons with new personnel in state assessment, special education, Title I, and Title III offices.
Published: June 2020
NCEO Brief: Students with Disabilities and Chronic Absenteeism (#15)The purpose of this Brief is to provide information about chronic absenteeism and possible implications for students with disabilities when a state selects it as a measure of school quality or student success. It highlights both the benefits and potential risks in light of requirements in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Brief also suggests actions that states might consider taking to address chronic absences among students with disabilities at the state and local levels as they work to include this new measure in accountability systems.
Published: April 2018- NCEO Newsletter: October 2023 issueFormats: Online
Effective communication is a cornerstone for fostering collaboration, understanding, and ultimately, student success. Recognizing the importance of communication, we are featuring in this newsletter some of NCEO’s resources for parents and families. This newsletter presents articles on NCEO’s new Empowering Parents Toolkit; several powerful fact sheets that state education agencies, districts, and schools can use to engage parents and families and enhance their understanding of state assessments; NCEO parents resources you may have missed; and other recently published NCEO resources.
Published: October 2023 
TARA Reports: Students with Visual Impairments and Assistive Technology: Results from a Cognitive Interview Study in Five StatesFormats: PDFThe purpose of this study was to better understand use of assistive technology in instruction and assessment by students with visual impairments. The aim was to gather information that would be relevant to the creation of a new large-scale assessment that addressed reading as an activity that involved the use of a variety of technologies. In order to adequately determine assistive technology (AT) use, students themselves were interviewed and observed.
Published: August 2009
Lessons Learned in Federally Funded Projects that Can Improve the Instruction and Assessment of Low Performing Students with DisabilitiesFormats: PDFA report detailing the work of researchers from projects funded by the U.S. Department of Education in 2006-2007 under three funding sources (General Supervision Enhancement Grants, Enhanced Assessment Grants, and Supplemental Funding) who were invited to compile their major findings and discuss the lessons they learned from their studies on alternate assessments based on modified achievement standards (AA-MAS). The intent of this publication is to carry these lessons forward to the creators of next generation assessments. The timing for this information is critical, as funding for AA-MAS research has ended, and administration of AA-MAS tests is expected to cease in many states when new assessments are ready in 2014-2015. Almost all students with disabilities who were eligible for an AA-MAS will then be participating in the new general assessments. It is imperative that the lessons learned from this group of projects about the students and the barriers they experience during assessment are well understood as these changes occur. Researchers report on 14 separate projects involving 26 states, and the report is organized into four main sections: The Students, Test Development, Technology-enhanced Assessment, and System Implications.
Published: 2013
NCEO Synthesis Reports: A Summary of the Research on the Effects of Test Accommodations, 2011-2012 (#94)A report providing an update on the state of the research on testing accommodations as well as to identify promising future areas of research. Previous reports by NCEO have covered research published since 1999. NCEO summarizes the research to review current research trends and enhance understanding of the implications of accommodations use in the development of future policy directions, implementation of current and new accommodations, and valid and reliable interpretations when accommodations are used in testing situations. For 2011 and 2012, 49 published research studies on the topic of testing accommodations were found. The studies in 2011-2012 demonstrated several similarities when viewing them in comparison with previous research, especially in relation to the 2009-2010 studies examined in NCEO's previous accommodations research review.
Published: September 2014- Participation Matters: Talking Points for SEA Policymakers: Talking Points on the Participation of Students with Disabilities in Statewide AssessmentsFormats: Online
Statewide assessments inform decisions about policy, instruction, and resource allocation. When students with disabilities are excluded from assessments, these decisions are made using incomplete data. Participation in assessments is essential to the collection of accurate data that represents the achievement of all students. New directors of assessment and special education can use these talking points to communicate with stakeholders the importance of including all students in state assessment systems.
Published: May 2026 - NCEO Newsletter: October 2024 issueFormats: Online
NCEO’s October 2024 newsletter features several new NCEO publications. The first article is about several reports published by a project affiliated with NCEO that share findings of research studies about students who shifted from the alternate assessment to the general assessment. The next article is about how states address the federal requirement that 95% of students participate in state assessments used for accountability. This is followed by an article on the unintended consequences of improved accessibility on state tests, and an article about the accommodations research literature.
Published: October 2024 
NCEO Newsletter: October 2013 issueFormats: OnlineAn issue highlighting findings from the 2012 survey of states, information on two new NCEO products--a tool that groups can use to build consensus on a topic, and a report covering current state policies on accommodations for delivering assessments orally. It also profiles an innovative online training for educators to improve decisions made about accommodations for individual students. Finally, this issue focuses on three manuals developed collaboratively by states, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), and NCEO, and published by CCSSO, to help guide accommodations decision-making.
Published: October 2013
NCEO Newsletter: October 2018 issueFormats: OnlineIn this issue, we highlight a report from the forum on speech-to-text and scribing that was held as a presession to the National Conference on Student Assessment. Several other NCEO reports are highlighted as well, including one on a literature review on measuring ELP progress of ELs with disabilities and ELs, one on publicly reported assessment results, and three on state assessment participation, performance, and accommodations data. Finally, this issue provides information on a new resource that is coming soon from NCEO's TIES Center, an Impact issue on inclusive education for K-8 students with the most significant cognitive disabilities.
Published: October 2018
NCEO Newsletter: October 2014 issueFormats: OnlineAn issue highlighting the launching of the 2014 NCEO Survey of States, summaries of two new reports on accommodations on English language proficiency assessments for low-incidence disabilities, and resources available from the July 2014 Webinar on "Successfully Transitioning Away from the 2% Assessment." Many of these resources are applicable to states seeking ways to improve use of data to identify intervention approaches, provide access to instruction, and improve implementation of standards-based Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). This issue also contains a short survey about the NCEO e-newsletter itself.
Published: October 2014
NCEO Reports: A Summary of the Research on the Effects of Test Accommodations: 2013-2014 (#402)This report provides an update on the state of the research on testing accommodations as well as to identify promising future areas of research. Previous reports by NCEO have covered research published since 1999. We summarize the research to review current research trends and enhance understanding of the implications of accommodations use in the development of future policy directions, implementation of current and new accommodations, and valid and reliable interpretations when accommodations are used in testing situations. Key issues under investigation include how accommodations affect test scores, how educators and students perceive accommodations, and how accommodations are selected and implemented.
Published: May 2016