Statewide assessments inform important decisions about policy, instruction, and resource allocation. When students with disabilities are excluded from these assessments, those decisions are made using incomplete data. NCEO has released a new resource, Talking Points on the Participation of Students with Disabilities in Statewide Assessments, to help state directors and staff communicate the value of including all students in statewide assessments. This publication is the first tool in the “Participation Matters” series. It helps state leaders ensure that federal mandates for inclusion are met and advocate for the accurate data collection needed to represent the achievement of every learner.

The resource provides clear language for state leaders to use when discussing why participation matters for families, schools, districts, and the state as a whole. It explains that assessment data give families a way to track their child’s progress toward grade-level standards and inform Individualized Education Programs (IEP). It also explains that statewide assessments are vital for system-wide improvement. These assessments provide critical information about how students are performing locally and across the state. The resource ends with key talking points that highlight high expectations for students and how assessments help the whole school system stay accountable. 

Ultimately, this tool gives talking points to state directors and staff to ensure that every student is represented in assessments and accountability and that schools remain committed to providing all learners with a high-quality education.