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.

Targeted Technical Assistance Opportunities

A key NCEO targeted technical assistance offering is our Peer Learning Groups. These groups bring together professionals from across the country in states with an assessment-related SiMR who share a commitment to improving educational outcomes for students with disabilities. Through regular virtual meetings, participants engage in rich discussions, share promising practices, and collaboratively solve challenges encountered in their states.

Peer Learning Groups focus on themes such as accessibility, universal design of assessments, effectively sharing assessment data, and data-driven decision making. Facilitated by NCEO experts, these groups provide opportunities for participants to discuss the latest research, most pressing policy issues, and effective strategies to meet the challenges states face. The next Peer Learning Group will take place in December 2025 and will be an SSIP and Assessment Network that will focus on collaboration between SSIP and assessment data staff.

If your state has an assessment-related SiMR and would be interested in participating in our next Peer Learning Group, please contact Virginia Ressa at ressa003@umn.edu for more information.

Intensive Technical Assistance Opportunities

For SEAs requiring deeper, customized support, NCEO provides intensive technical assistance to address specific assessment-related SiMR challenges within a state. NCEO’s intensive technical assistance is collaborative in nature, involving ongoing communication with SEA staff and the development of resources uniquely suited to the context at hand.

While there are many areas of assessment-based technical assistance a state might identify, states may consider this list of example objectives:

• Increase the participation of students with disabilities in summative or interim assessments.
• Improve accessibility and accommodations policies and practices.
• Improve the use, analysis, and reporting of assessment data to measure and track progress toward the SIMR.
• Enhance the understanding of families and community partners of the role assessments play in SSIP implementation and SIMR achievement.
• Improve interagency collaboration in order to access and use assessment data more effectively.

If your state with an assessment-related SiMR is interested in learning more about partnering with NCEO for intensive technical assistance, please contact Andrew Hinkle at ahinkle@umn.edu for more information.