National Center on Educational Outcomes - NCEO

Assessment is more than a score. For families of students with disabilities, understanding assessment can support informed conversations about learning, instruction, school options, and student support.

This brief explains why assessment matters, how results can be used, and six questions families can ask when exploring school choices.

Access the resource: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/school-choice/school-choice

We hope you like the new MIDAS Project Welcome Video!

Introduction To The MIDAS Project This video introduces The MIDAS Project.

Research suggests that braille and large print accommodations can improve accessibility while maintaining the validity of assessments. These findings reinforce the importance of providing students with formats that support meaningful access to content.

Explore the full NCEO Braille fact sheet here: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/accommodations-toolkit/braille-research

Welcome to the MIDAS Project - Making Improved Decisions for Students on the Cusp of Alternate Assessment Participation Using Multiple Measures of Academic Achievement from Multiple Sources

themidasproject.org

Introduction To The MIDAS Project This video introduces The MIDAS Project.

Research on braille accommodations highlights the importance of accessibility, reading speed, and student interaction with assessment materials. Studies on refreshable braille displays also continue to expand what we know about braille implementation in assessment settings.

Learn more in the NCEO Braille fact sheet: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/accommodations-toolkit/braille-research

What’s new at NCEO this month?

The June 2026 newsletter is now available and includes updates from recent and upcoming national conversations shaping assessment and accessibility, along with newly released resources to support state and local leaders.

Explore the latest work and discover tools designed to support meaningful participation and improved outcomes for students with disabilities.

Read the newsletter: https://nceotacenter.org/newsletter/2026/06/01/june-2026/

Research on braille implementation highlights the importance of aligning braille tools and formats with students’ reading needs and skill levels.

Studies found that some refreshable braille displays presented challenges with punctuation symbols for young students during reading assessments, reinforcing the need for careful implementation and ongoing research.

Learn more in the NCEO Braille Research fact sheet: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/accommodations-toolkit/braille-research

Research on braille accommodations found that braille itself does not change the academic skills being assessed. However, some mathematics items may be more difficult to present in braille, especially content related to spatial estimation.

The research also found that braille accommodations can support students with visual impairments both with and without cognitive or intellectual disabilities.

Learn more in the NCEO Braille Research fact sheet: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/accommodations-toolkit/braille-research

What does research say about braille and assessment performance?

Several studies found that students using braille performed as well as, and sometimes better than, students using other testing formats. Research also found no evidence that braille negatively affected assessment performance.

These findings reinforce the importance of providing students with accommodations that align with how they learn and access information every day.

Explore the full NCEO Braille Research fact sheet here: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/accommodations-toolkit/braille-research

How can we talk about the participation of students with disabilities in statewide assessments in meaningful and effective ways?

This NCEO resource shares practical talking points that connect participation in statewide assessments to high expectations, accountability, student success, and data-informed decision-making. These conversations matter because they help families, educators, and policymakers better understand how participation supports stronger educational opportunities and improved outcomes for students.

Learn more: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/nceo/participation-matters/participation-of-students-with-disabilities-statewide-assessments