I have started to watch how retirements are done well. Last night I had the privilege of watching the poetic last performance of Denyce Graves as Maria in Porgy and Bess before snow fell over NYC. It was poetic. #opera #theMet #retirement #DenyceGraves @nytimes.com

NCME is a strong organization with a great board. Colleagues, please nominate those eager and ready to lead us forward, together. Link (due 11/14): form.jotform.com/252314794748... We welcome your questions and look forward to your engagement. @ncme38.bsky.social @derekbriggs.bsky.social

My 2025 travel schedule includes 6 trips to Kansas, but I am particularly excited for this one because it includes visits to the Kansas School for Blind and Kansas School for Deaf. My goal is to improve reading assessments to align with effective instruction, but that starts with learning.

In a recent article in EM:IP, Cahalan Laitusis and Karvonen review the history of universal design and propose a new framework—universal design of assessment systems—to address contemporary issues and needs in the field. Learn more: doi.org/10.1111/emip... #NCMEResearch

A Case for Reimagining Universal Design of Assessment Systems

The 2014 Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing describe universal design as an approach that offers promise for improving the fairness of educational assessments. As the field reconside...

doi.org

We recognize the impressive advances the universal design community has made to ensure that #universaldesign #UDL requirements permeate laws and design requirements that extend beyond educational assessment. Instead of abandoning these efforts, we reimagine - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...

Public school choice is expanding—but how do families make informed decisions? AIR's Kerstin Le Floch and Laura Hamilton explain why statewide assessments matter more than ever in a new @nciea.bsky.social blog. www.nciea.org/blog/statewi...

Assessment’s Role in School Choice | Center for Assessment

As public school choice expands, state tests play an increasingly important role: providing a common benchmark to help families evaluate their options.

nciea.org

We’ve got a bunch of interesting presentations lined up for the National Conference on Student Assessment #NCSA2025 next week. ➡️ bit.ly/4edAaDs Here’s a rundown of what we’re doing. Come see us if you’re in Denver!

If you are #NCSA2025 join me at 2:45 in Ballroom D. I will be presenting with Kansas and Maryland on how to balance the civil rights of students with disabilities and implement science of reading reform. I am sharing more on the importance of measuring background knowledge.

I love the Microsoft inclusive persona spectrum graphic for accessibility. Since bartender and cataracts don’t fit my main audience of K12 education, I adapted it and thought I would share. @edusky.bsky.social #Edusky #a11y

Much needed session at #NCME2025 on how civics education can happen in a divided nation. www.xcdsystem.com/ncme/program...

If you are interested in how we can use accommodation and universal tools click/usage data to inform policy, scoring, and test design just keep walking all the way around the back to find us at 8am Colorado I/J #NCME2025 www.xcdsystem.com/ncme/program...

The Joint Committee will have two sessions for #AERA2025 and #NCME2025 attendees to hear about our work updating the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Today’s session is at 1:45 at the convention center and (Saturday session is at the Hilton). www.xcdsystem.com/ncme/program...

And now we know. #AI items for bar exam and “non legally trained” psychometrician www.latimes.com/california/s...

State Bar of California admits it used AI to develop exam questions, triggering new furor

Using AI-developed questions written by non-legally-trained psychometricians represents 'an obvious conflict of interest,' critics say.

latimes.com

Cara Cahalan Laitusis@claitusis.bsky.social · last yr.

I smell “cost savings” from AI item generation. Anyone know? www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/u...

I just reviewed the #AERA2025 accessibility tips. I don’t think it is necessary to “describe your appearance and dress”. Here are my #4 1. Use the mic 2. Say your name before you speak 3. Describe/read key points in the visual slides 4. Slow down for ASL interpreting www.aera.net/Events-Meeti...

Future of Testing and Accountability www.the74million.org/article/trum...

Trump Education Plan Raises Fears Over Future of Testing and Accountability

Without a strong ‘federal backstop,’ some experts argue it will be harder to keep states honest and protect the neediest students.

the74million.org

I am heading to #AERA2025 and #NCME2025 next week. I think this may be the first conference with a lot of us on @bsky.app Does anyone know if we just use hashtags or if there is a better way to interact people at the conference? @ncme38.bsky.social @aeraedresearch.bsky.social

Another wonderful addition to BlueSky is the Center for Assessment @nciea.bsky.social Also included in the Measurement and Assessment Starter Pack go.bsky.app/DW9LoQa #EduSky

Sharing my 6 favorite things for accessibility. I hope #5 and #6 can keep their federal funding. www.nciea.org/blog/caras-f... #edusky #a11y @edusky.bsky.social #edtech #asugsvsummit

Cara’s Favorite Accessibility Things | Center for Assessment

Oprah has her list. We have ours. Check out the accessibility tools and innovations that Cara Laitusis loves.

nciea.org

Happiness is when your 80 year old mom is sending you this picture with her friends in Florida and your 82 year old father sends a video from his #HandsOff protest in Connecticut. I am hoping the apple won’t fall far from the tree for me.

If you missed the Center for Assessments “Case for Testing” webinar you can find the paper and recording here: www.nciea.org/library/the-...

The Case for State Testing | Center for Assessment

States should keep requiring students to take statewide tests even if the Trump administration stops enforcing federal assessment laws.

nciea.org

This one seems to be really sliding under the radar with all the other news but is a big deal IMO. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/u...

How Might the Trump Administration Target D.E.I. in Public Schools? (Gift Article)

A letter from the administration promised to withdraw funding from schools that allow certain D.E.I. programs. But what counts as D.E.I. may prove murky.

nytimes.com

If the federal role is diminished, should statewide school accountability systems continue? My colleagues and I at the Center think the answer is YES. We explain why in this brief. Please consider sharing it. www.nciea.org/library/the-...

The Case for Statewide School Accountability Systems | Center for Assessment

States should continue to implement high-quality school accountability systems, regardless of the level or nature of federal oversight.

nciea.org

I hope @andrewdeanho.bsky.social lives a very long life but after reading this, I am envisioning the start of his obituary. IYKYK www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/s...

James Reason, Who Used Swiss Cheese to Explain Human Error, Dies at 86

Mistakes happen, he theorized, because multiple vulnerabilities in a system align — like the holes in cheese — to create a recipe for disaster.

nytimes.com

NAEP Law uses the phrase "valid and reliable" 8 times and references "professional testing standards" 7 times. We can't measure educational progress with a bendable yardstick. Let's get the expertise we need. www.nagb.gov/naep/the-nae...

Jen Jennings@jenjennings.bsky.social · last yr.

If we want to keep NAEP, we’re going to have to fight for it. Plus, what @andrewdeanho.bsky.social said.

@stevenfulop.bsky.social who is your education advisor? I would like to connect with them but can’t find anyway to make direct contact via your website and no one responded to my form inquiry.

If you know testing people, you know we rarely agree, but all of us at the Center for Assessment agree on the case for state testing. Download our paper and sign up for our webinar @EduSky #EduSky www.nciea.org/event/the-ca...

The Case for State Testing (Webinar) | Center for Assessment

Webinar: Why states should keep giving statewide tests even if the new administration stops enforcing federal assessment laws.

nciea.org

Sad truth: Special education researchers always feel forgotten, but after the NCSER IES funding and program officers were spared we may become very popular.

Update on my career shifting sabbatical that was inspired by “anxiety fueled planning.” I am resharing given the many layoffs last week of educational researchers. @edusky #EduSky www.linkedin.com/posts/cara-l...?

My "Do-It-Yourself" Sabbatical | Cara Cahalan Laitusis

Five years ago, I was in a professionally fulfilling career and thought my work life wouldn’t change much for the next 15 years. I was managing a large group…

linkedin.com

With all the layoffs in educational research and policy, I thought I would reshare this article I wrote about my “do it yourself sabbatical” or “mid-life gap year.” highly recommend if you can swing it financially. www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-do-...?

My "Do-It-Yourself" Sabbatical

In February of this year, the Harvard Business Review published an informative article on the Transformative Power of Sabbaticals. It came at the perfect time, as I was already contemplating whether t...

linkedin.com

I saw the source and @mattbarnum.bsky.social hits all the highlights. It is unclear if an EO is needed or if congress needs to ultimately approve (60 votes). However it is time for states to decide what assessment and accountability they value and which students they will prioritize.

Matt Barnum@mattbarnum.bsky.social · last yr.

Scoop: A draft executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” based on “the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” It could come as soon as today. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...