Greetings!
Fall is a time of fresh starts, and we’re excited to share this fall issue of our newsletter with you. We are especially proud of the work highlighted here and the forward momentum it represents. This issue features key updates that reflect the theme of renewal. These updates touch on our 35 years of history, our commitment to innovation, and our future partnerships.
First, in our article “35 Years of Impact,” we reflect on our journey as NCEO proudly marks 35 years as a national leader in assessment and outcomes for students with disabilities. The article also points to our new NCEO history page, documenting our impact on federal and state policy and legislation over the years.
Next, in “New Web Publications,” we describe NCEO’s new web-based publications format. Launched over the summer, this is now our new publications standard, starting with Report 450. While this web-based format significantly improves accessibility for those who use screen readers, it also adds several user-friendly tools (like the Read to Me function) that make engaging with our resources simpler for everyone. Our article walks you through some of these enhancements.
Then, in “Technical Assistance Opportunities,” we share how we continue to provide technical assistance to state education agencies (SEAs) across the country. Learn more about how your state can connect with us for targeted or intensive support to meet your assessment and outcomes goals.
Finally, we’re sharing new NCEO resources. These three recent reports (NCEO Reports 450–452) include a historical review of alternate assessments, guidance for communicating SSIP data with stakeholders, and a summary of current research on K–12 test accommodations.
Happy reading!
Kristi Liu and Andrew Hinkle – Co-Directors
NCEO Celebrates 35 Years of Improving Outcomes for Students with Disabilities
Thirty-five years ago, the educational outcomes of students with disabilities were largely invisible. This fall, The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) celebrates 35 years as the longest-running technical assistance center dedicated to designing assessments and assessment policies that ensure all students count. As a center funded by the US Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), NCEO is a national leader in improving access to educational assessments and providing leadership on alternate assessments for students with disabilities.
NCEO’s New Web Publications: Enhancing Accessibility for Everyone
Starting this past summer, NCEO changed how it delivers all its publications. Having already provided only electronic publications for some time, all products are now served through a Web Publications format. While NCEO has used this format for select products in the past, this will now be our standard for delivering all publications going forward.
Technical Assistance Opportunities with the National Center on Educational Outcomes
As NCEO celebrates our 35th anniversary, it’s important to note that NCEO’s work goes beyond publishing research and resources, we have also provided technical assistance for as many years. NCEO supports state education agencies (SEAs) in their efforts to improve outcomes for students with disabilities by providing targeted and intensive technical assistance on assessment-related topics. One specific focus is supporting states with State Systemic Improvement Plans (SSIPs) that have assessment-related State Identified Measurable Results (SiMRs). We also support states in their efforts to meet the federal limit on participation in the alternate assessment.
New Resource: A Historical Review of Alternate Assessment and 1% Cap on Student Participation
This new report reviews the history of alternate assessments and the federal cap on state-level student participation rates. A Historical Review of Alternate Assessment and 1% Cap (NCEO Report 450) traces federal legislation, regulations, and Department of Education guidance from 1994 to 2025. This historical review includes a detailed account of how alternate assessments for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities have been developed, refined, and regulated over time.
New Resource: State Discussion Guide for Communicating SSIP Data with Stakeholders
NCEO’s Technical Assistance team has published the new State Discussion Guide for Communicating SSIP Data with Stakeholders (NCEO Report 452). This guide was developed in collaboration with an NCEO-hosted Peer Learning Group comprising 58 participants from 26 states, ensuring the guide represents practical strategies and recommendations for meaningful communication practices.
New Resource: A Summary of the Research on the Effects of K–12 Test Accommodations: 2023
This new report, A Summary of the Research on the Effects of K–12 Test Accommodations: 2023 (NCEO Report 451), presents a synthesis of the research literature published in 2023 on testing accommodations for U.S. elementary and secondary students with disabilities. NCEO has reported on accommodations research since 1999.
The Center is supported through a Cooperative Agreement (#H326G210002) with the Research to Practice Division, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education. The Center is affiliated with the Institute on Community Integration at the College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota. Consistent with EDGAR §75.62, the contents of this report were developed under the Cooperative Agreement from the U.S. Department of Education, but do not necessarily represent the policy or opinions of the U.S. Department of Education or Offices within it. Readers should not assume endorsement by the federal government.
Project Officer: David Egnor
