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NCEO Synthesis Reports: High Stakes Testing for Students: Unanswered Questions and Implications for Students with Disabilities (#26)Formats: OnlineThis 1997 literature review looks at existing research on the effects of high stakes tests on students, with particular attention to students with disabilities. The review focuses on potential effects on the curriculum, students, student learning, attitudes, school climate, and costs, and offers recommendations for future research and for those people who develop, implement, and evaluate large-scale testing programs.
Published: January 1997
NCEO Minnesota Assessment Project Reports: Input from the Field on the Participation of Students with Limited English Proficiency and Students with Disabilities in Meeting the High Standards of Minnesota's Profile of Learning (#10)Formats: OnlineThis year 1996 report summarizes focus group input from teachers and administrators on the participation of English learners and students with disabilities in Minnesota's Profile of Learning, which includes performance-based classroom-level assessments.
Published: August 1996
Self-Study Guide for the Development of Statewide Assessments that Include Students with DisabilitiesFormats: OnlineThis year 1996 self-study guide is designed to help state education agency (SEA) staff evaluate and revise their assessment policies and procedures in a way that promotes the participation of all students in some form of their state assessment programs. More specifically, it is intended for staff responsible for the state assessment system and staff responsible for the education of students with disabilities. It also could be used by test development contractors and stakeholders who are serving on state task forces to develop state assessment systems. And, this guide should be helpful to local education agency staff who wish to revise their own assessments to include all students.
Published: 1996
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Outcome-Based Education: Its Relevance to State and National Decision Making (#9)Formats: PDFThis report was developed to propose a framework for applying an outcome-based approach throughout the education system for students with disabilities. The needs of three major levels of the system were examined: local, state, and national. It is argued that it is necessary to define different uses for the term "outcome" in order to achieve consensus and understanding. Matching uses with the needs of the specific levels of the system will help clarify communications and facilitate the process of identifying expected outcomes.
Published: October 1993
NCEO Synthesis Reports: Responses to Working Paper 1 Conceptual Model of Educational Outcomes for Children and Youth with Disabilities (#3)Formats: PDFWorking Paper 1, "A Conceptual Model of Educational Outcomes for Children and Youth with Disabilities," was initially distributed by staff of the National Center on Educational Outcomes in July of 1991 to approximately 175 individuals, requesting their input on the ideas presented therein. This synthesis paper represents the input of over 60 additional respondents.
Published: June 1992- NCEO Reports: State Assessment Rates of Participation, Performance, and Assigned Accommodations of Students with Disabilities (2007–08 Through 2022–23) (454)Formats: Online
This report analyzes state Annual Performance Report (APR) assessment data for students with disabilities across all 50 U.S. states and 10 federal entities from 2007–08 through 2022–23. It tracks participation and performance trends in reading and mathematics for grades 3–8 and high school, specifically focusing on students with IEPs. Key data points include proficiency levels on general and alternate assessments (AA-AAAS) and the frequency of testing accommodations. This review offers a comprehensive historical look at state-level trends.
Published: April 2026 - At a Crossroads: The Intersection of AT, AAC, and AI in the Education of Learners with Varied NeedsFormats: Online
This report summarizes the key discussions and findings from a forum held on June 25, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Organized jointly by the Assessment, Standards, and Education for Students with Disabilities (ASES) Collaborative and the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO), the event brought together nearly 40 participants from State Education Agencies (SEAs), assessment vendors, and technology experts. The forum focused on the critical and rapidly accelerating intersection of Assistive Technology (AT), Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. The main objective was to analyze the implications of these converging technologies on instructional quality and assessment validity for all learners, and to reach a full understanding of their combined impact on educational access.
Published: November 2025 - NCEO Reports: A Historical Review of Alternate Assessment and 1% Cap (#450)Formats: Online
The history of alternate assessments and the 1.0 percent participation cap on state-level participation rates is deeply rooted in federal education legislation. From 1994 to 2025, federal legislation, regulations, and Department of Education guidance to states aimed to ensure that all students, including those with the most significant cognitive disabilities, are included in state accountability systems while maintaining appropriate standards and oversight. This report traces this policy history and the ways in which states have responded through evolving practices, waivers, and compliance strategies. We provide a list of resources, many of which were developed by NCEO, that can help educators implement the federal requirements of the 1.0 percent cap rule.
Published: October 2025 - English Learners with Disabilities Toolkit: Deciding Whether an English Learner with a Disability Should Participate in State Alternate Assessments of Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science (Tool 5)Formats: Online
This tool describes a way to ensure that all potential assessment participation decision makers are informed about the state’s content assessments and considerations for determining whether a student who is an English learner with a disability should participate in the alternate assessment based on alternate academic achievement standards (AA-AAAS) or the general content assessment. A list of resources on decision-making approaches for content assessments is included. States may customize this tool as needed to meet their needs.
Published: May 2026 - NCEO Data Analytics: State Assessment Participation and Performance of Students with IEPs, 2020-2021 (#19)Formats: Online
This interactive report presents data on the participation and performance of students receiving special education services in statewide assessments used for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) accountability. Using federally submitted data from the 2020-2021 school year, this report presents information on participation and performance in reading and mathematics statewide assessments. This report also includes state profiles for students with disabilities’ participation rates and performance. Due to disruptions from the pandemic, rates of participation varied widely throughout the country. Data for this school year may not be comparable with other years.
Published: January 2024 - Empowering Families Toolkit - Tool 1 Video: Why are assessments important, and why should students with disabilities participate in assessments? (Version 2/authentic video of a parent and her children)Formats: Free Video
This video was designed to help families understand why assessments are a good opportunity for their children to show what they know, and for schools to better understand their children’s needs. It also includes tips for families on how to better support their children when they take assessments. This “Version 2” video has the same content as “Version 1” but features an authentic parent and her children. The video is part of the Empowering Families Toolkit developed by NCEO to provide accessible materials for parents about assessment topics.
Published: 9/5/2023 - Empowering Families Flyer #4: How is test data used at SSIP stakeholder meetings?Formats: PDF
This flyer explains how the review of test data at State Systemic Improvement Plan (SSIP) stakeholder meetings by parents and other stakeholders can support the development and implementation of plans that lead to improved outcomes for their children and all students with disabilities. The flyer also provides tips on how to be active participants in stakeholder meetings. This flyer is part of the Empowering Families Toolkit developed by NCEO to provide accessible materials for parents about assessment topics.
Published: August 2023 - NCEO Participation Communication Toolkit: One-Page “Ready-to-go” Student FlyerFormats: PDF
The purpose of this “ready-to-go” flyer is to provide concise resources about why it is so important that all students participate in state testing. Written for students, it also provides strategies to reduce student test anxiety. The flyer is part of the Participation Communication Toolkit developed by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) to identify and describe reasons why all students, including students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities should take state tests. This flyer can be used as is with no changes.
Published: 3/8/2023 - NCEO Participation Communication Toolkit: Participation Communication Toolkit Slide Deck TemplateFormats: PPT
This customizable slide presentation is designed to support the needs of state education agency staff, and district and school administrators for brief but substantive information district and school administrators can use when communicating with educators, policymakers, families, and other stakeholders about why it is so important that students participate in state assessments. In addition to serving as an information resource for administrators, it may be used for in-person or webinar trainings for educators, and as a handout for educators and parents. The slides may be customized. The slide deck is part of the Participation Communication Toolkit developed by the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) to identify and describe reasons why all students, including students with disabilities, English learners, and English learners with disabilities should take state tests.
Published: 11/9/2021 
NCEO Data Analytics: State Assessment Participation and Performance of Students with IEPs, 2016-2017 (#10)Formats: OnlineThis interactive report presents data on the participation and performance of students receiving special education services in statewide assessments used for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) accountability. Using federally submitted data from the 2016-17 school year, the researchers present information on participation and performance in reading and mathematics statewide assessments. This report includes state profiles for students with disabilities’ participation rates and performance.
Published: December 2019
NCEO Data Analytics: Percent of Students with Disabilities by Disability Categories for 2005-06 to 2016-17 (#8)Formats: OnlineThis interactive report presents data on the number and percent of students receiving special education services by trends over time, category, and by state. The U.S. Department of Education receives data from states on the number of students with disabilities who receive special education services as indicated in an Individualized Education Program (IEP) in each of 13 disability categories. This report presents information on the percent of students with disabilities ages 6-17, and the percent of these students by category for school years 2005-06 to 2016-17, for the 50 regular states.
Published: February 2019
Forum on Speech-to-Text and Scribing: Getting a Handle on What This MeansFormats: PDFA report on a forum held on June 26, 2018 in San Diego, California that brought together staff from state departments of education, school districts, testing and testing-related companies, and other educational organizations to discuss speech-to-text and scribing, the differences in terminology, challenges associated with speech-to-text, and needed research. The forum was a pre-session to the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) National Conference on Student Assessment (NCSA), and was a collaboration of the Assessing Special Education Students (ASES), the State Collaborative on Assessment and Student Standards (SCASS), and the National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO). This report summarizes both the introductory information provided to forum participants, and the facilitated forum discussions that followed.
Published: September 2018
ELPA21 White Paper: Developing an Alternate ELPA21 for English Learners with the Most Significant Cognitive DisabilitiesFormats: PDFThis White Paper was developed as part of the commitment of the English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century (ELPA21) project to the development and implementation of an alternate ELP assessment for ELs with the most significant cognitive disabilities. The purpose of this White Paper is to propose steps that ELPA21 might take to ensure that it develops and implements a technically adequate and appropriate alternate assessment for ELs with significant cognitive disabilities. It also proposes a possible workplan and timeline for Alt-ELPA21 assessment development activities. This White Paper will undergo iterative revision by ELPA21 and review by its Technical Advisory Committee. The final White Paper will be the result of these processes and reviews.
Published: August 2018
NCEO APR Snapshot Briefs: 2014-2015 APR Snapshot #14: Assessment Accommodations Use by Students Receiving Special Education Services (#14)Formats: OnlineThis report provides information on the number of students with disabilities using accommodations and the performance of these students on the general statewide assessment used for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) accountability. Using federally submitted data from the 2014-2015 school year, we present information on accommodations for reading and mathematics statewide assessments administered to grade 8 students (and grade 4 to show a comparison to grade 8 data).
Published: July 2017- NCEO APR Snapshot Briefs: 2014-2015 APR Snapshot #13: State Assessment Participation and Performance of Students Receiving Special Education Services (#13)Formats: Online
This report provides a snapshot of the participation and performance of student receiving special education services in statewide assessments used for Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) accountability. Using federally submitted data from the 2014-15 school year, we present information on participation and performance in reading and mathematics statewide assessments administered to grade 8 students.
Published: May 2017