NCEO’s DIAMOND project, a collaboration of nine states (Minnesota, Alabama, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Virgin Islands) is entering its final year. The project is an Enhanced Assessment Grant awarded to the Minnesota Department of Education. (DIAMOND = Data Informed Accessibility-Making Optimal Needs-Based Decisions.)

The project has completed (or is close to completing) activities designed to provide information for the development of learning modules to support educators’ understanding of accessibility features and accommodations, and how to make good decisions about them. The activities included:

• Literature Review of Professional Development
• Educator Survey
• Focus Groups
• State Data Analyses
• Phone Interviews
• In-Person Interviews and Student Demonstrations

Brief reports on these activities are posted on the DIAMOND website. A full report of the Educator Survey is posted, and other full reports will be posted in the next few months.

Based on these activities, and on input from the DIAMOND states and expert advisors, the project began its iterative development process of modules and other training materials on accessibility features and accommodations. These materials are designed for all teachers. They will address the problem of teachers having limited knowledge and limited resources related to accessibility features and accommodations. The modules and other materials will be made available to all states after they are completed.