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NCEO Synthesis Reports: Universal Design Applied to Large Scale Assessments (#44)The purpose of this report is to explore the development of universal design and to consider its application to large scale assessments. Building on universal design principles presented by the Center for Universal Design, seven elements of universally designed assessments are identified and described in report paper.
Published: June 2002
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Use of Alternate Assessment Results in Reporting and Accountability Systems: Conditions for Use Based on Research and Practice (#43)Formats: OnlineThis report reviews current (2002) understanding of the technical and policy considerations involved in high quality alternate assessment. Based on research from early implementation and what are considered to be best practice approaches, this synthesis describes five steps in alternate assessment test development processes that allow interpretation and use of results in reporting and accountability.
Published: May 2002
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Setting Standards on Alternate Assessments (#42)Formats: OnlineThis year 2002 report identifies common standards-setting techniques and how they might be applied to alternate assessments. The techniques addressed are: reasoned judgment, contrasting groups, modified Angoff, bookmarking or item mapping, body of work, and judgmental policy capturing.
Published: April 2002
NCEO Out-of-Level Testing Project Reports: Scale Score Comparability Across Two Levels of a Norm-Referenced Math Computation Test for Students with Learning Disabilities (#8)Formats: OnlineThis year 2002 report summarizes a small-scale comparability study with students with learning disabilities taking the MAT/7 norm-referenced math computation test on-grade and out-of-level. The report includes qualitative feedback from students on both assessment conditions, and addresses limitations of the study.
Published: March 2002- NCEO Out-of-Level Testing Project Reports: Test and Measurement Expert Opinions: A Dialogue About Testing Students with Disabilities Out of Level in Large-Scale Assessments (#6)Formats: Online
This year 2002 report summarizes the discussion of two focus groups composed of test and measurement experts held to address out-of-level testing. The report summarizes the concerns raised and concludes that studies are needed to determine the differential results of out-of-level test scores compared to on-grade level test scores.
Published: March 2002 
Educational Policy Reform Research Institute Reports: Topical Review One: Creating Performance Goals and Indicators in Special Education (#1)Formats: PDFThis year 2002 topical review addresses performance goals and indicators for special education. It is part of a series developed by the Educational Policy Reform Research Institute (EPRRI), which is investigating issues related to accountability and special education. This review looks at how to create valid and measurable indicators of key features of special education that can be used to gauge effectiveness as well as target improvement strategies.
Published: January 2002- Educational Policy Reform Research Institute Reports: Topical Review Three: Reporting on the State Assessment Performance of Students with Disabilities (#3)Formats: PDF
The purpose of this year 2001 topical review is to provide a comprehensive account of reporting the performance of students with disabilities on state assessments.
Published: December 2001 
NCEO Classroom-Based Assessment Project: Using a Curriculum-Based Instructional Management System to Enhance Math Achievement in Urban SchoolsFormats: PDFA report from NCEO's Classroom-Based Assessment Project.
Published: December 2001
NCEO Technical Reports: On the Road to Accountability: Reporting Outcomes for Students with Disabilities (#32)Formats: OnlineThis year 2001 report reviews state education documents for the year 1999-2000 to determine the public availability of important student outcome information on students with disabilities. The report describes state assessment systems, the reporting of participation and performance results, and the achievement gaps between students with disabilities and the total population for reading and math at select grades. It concludes with recommendations for public reporting.
Published: December 2001
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Empirical Support for Accommodations Most Often Allowed in State Policy (#41)Formats: OnlineThis year 2001 report is a compilation of information collected from NCEO's searchable database on the accommodations that are most often allowed in state policies: Braille editions, computer/machine response, dictate response to scribe, extended time, interpreter for instructions, large print edition, mark answers in test booklet, read aloud, test direction clarifications, and test breaks. The summary of research reveals that there are not yet simple or conclusive answers to questions about the effects of specific accommodations.
Published: November 2001
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Principles and Characteristics of Inclusive Assessment and Accountability Systems (#40)Formats: OnlineThis year 2001 report presents six core principles of inclusive assessment and accountability systems with a brief rationale and specific characteristics that reflect each principle. These principles are based on a decade of NCEO's documentation of assessment and accountability systems and on review and comment from multiple stakeholders who share a common goal of improving outcomes for all students.
Published: November 2001- NCEO Limited English Proficiency Projects Reports: State and District Assessments as an Avenue to Equity and Excellence for English Language Learners with Disabilities (#2)Formats: Online
This year 2001 report summarizes data publicly reported on state education department websites on the participation rate and performance of English learners for 1999-2000.
Published: September 2001 
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Models for Reporting the Results of Alternate Assessments Within State Accountability Systems (#39)Formats: OnlineA report summarizing six models for reporting the scores of students with disabilities participating in alternate assessments that existed in the year 2001. Reporting the scores of students with disabilities participating in alternate assessments raises a number of challenges, including those surrounding concerns about statistical soundness, as well as those related to the different purposes and focuses that characterize current alternate assessments. At the time of this report, across the nation, states had reached different decisions about how to report the results of their alternate assessments.
Published: September 2001
NCEO Technical Reports: Read-Aloud Accommodations: Effects on Multiple-Choice Reading and Math Items (#31)Formats: OnlineThis year 2001 report examines the effect of a read aloud accommodation on the state reading and math assessments used by the Missouri assessment program. The study used extant test administration data for multiple-choice math and reading test items administered to 3rd and 4th grade students. Four student groups were created to help control for confounding effects. A differential item function (DIF) analysis was run on the data using BILOG-MG, which compared item difficulty estimates across several groups simultaneously. The findings lead to a discussion of how to determine who should benefit from an accommodation, and whether a reading test measures the reading construct differently for students with a reading disability than for students without disabilities. The report recommends further research and suggests that replicating the study is needed to confirm the results.
Published: September 2001
NCEO Technical Reports: What Databases Tell Us about Differential Levels of Use and How to Document the Use of Accommodations (#30)Formats: OnlineThis year 2001 report presents an analysis of accommodation use data from 12 states. Findings include extremely variable rates in accommodation use, use patterns by level of schooling, and concerns about data accuracy drawn from how states record accommodation use. Further, states report accommodated student data in unique ways making comparisons difficult.
Published: August 2001- NCEO Out-of-Level Testing Project Reports: States' Out-of-Level Testing Policies (#4)Formats: Online
This year 2001 report discusses the context of state assessments systems, including accountability practices in which out-of-level testing is implemented, and describes specific out-of-level testing policies used in those states that allow students to be tested out of level in large-scale assessments. The review includes 12 states' policies and describes such state-level policy features as assessment instrument characteristics, required implementation practices, and test score uses.
Published: June 2001 
NCEO State Surveys: 2001 State Special Education Outcomes - A Report on State Activities at the Beginning of a New DecadeThis year 2001 report summarizes a survey given to all states that addresses participation and performance of students with disabilities in statewide assessments and the first year of administering alternate assessments and including the results in accountability systems. The report is intended to help states view their own progress.
Published: June 2001
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Addressing Standards and Assessments on the IEP (#38)Formats: OnlineThe purpose of this year 2001 study was to examine state Individualized Education Program (IEP) forms to determine the extent to which they include documentation of standards and assessments. All 50 states were asked to send their IEP forms and to indicate whether they were required, recommended, or simply sample forms. Because IEP forms are a primary source of information to guide decisions during IEP team meetings, the way in which information appears on them is very important. NCEO makes several recommendations for IEP forms that will provide decision-making guidance to IEP teams.
Published: April 2001- NCEO Classroom-Based Assessment Project: Effects of Using a Curriculum-Based Monitoring System on the Classroom Instructional Environment and Math AchievementFormats: PDF
A report from NCEO's Classroom-Based Assessment Project.
Published: March 2001 - NCEO Classroom-Based Assessment Project: Enhancing the Learning of English Language Learners: Consultation and a Curriculum Based Monitoring SystemFormats: PDF
A report from NCEO's Classroom-Based Assessment Project.
Published: March 2001