NCEO has been awarded a five-year grant by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, to continue its work as a national technical assistance center. Starting October 1, 2016, NCEO’s knowledge development and technical assistance activities focus on increasing the participation and improving the results of students with disabilities on state and districtwide assessments.

NCEO will work with its long-time partners, the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), and add two new partners, Applied Engineering Management Corporation  (AEM) and WestEd, in its efforts to meet new objectives. Among the new areas of focus for NCEO are supporting states in their efforts to support districts to improve results for students with disabilities. In addition, it will collect, analyze, synthesize, and disseminate evidence-based information on such topics as inclusive assessments, technology-based assessments, formative and summative assessments, and use of assessments for instructional decision-making purposes and to ensure implementation of State Identified Measurable Results (SIMRs).

NCEO will continue to provide leadership on the inclusion of students with disabilities, English learners (ELs), and ELs with disabilities in comprehensive assessment systems. It will examine the participation of students with disabilities and ELs with disabilities in national and state assessments and the reporting of assessment information on these students. It will also continue to seek ways to bridge general education, special education, English as a Second Language or bilingual education, and other systems as they work to increase accountability for the results of education for all students, and ultimately, their improved outcomes.

“It is great to have an expanded focus in the 5-year grant to continue NCEO’s activities,” says Martha Thurlow. “We will work more closely now with states as they support their districts to increase participation in and improve performance on all assessments.”

NCEO’s website remains the same: www.nceo.info. We look forward to an exciting and productive next five years!