National Center on Educational Outcomes - NCEO

National Center on Educational Outcomes - NCEO The National Center on Educational Outcomes (NCEO) is a technical assistance center dedicated to inclusive assessment.

Since its establishment, NCEO:
• Provides leadership on the inclusion of students with disabilities, English learners (ELs), and ELs with disabilities in comprehensive assessment systems. This includes formative assessment processes, classroom-based tests, interim and benchmark assessments, and state and national assessments.
• Works with states and federal agencies to identify important outcomes

of education for students with disabilities, ELs, and ELs with disabilities.
• Examines the participation of students in national and state assessments, including the use of accessibility features and accommodations and alternate assessments.
• Evaluates national and state practices in reporting assessment information on students with disabilities, ELs, and ELs with disabilities.
• Bridges general education, special education, English as a Second Language or bilingual education, and other systems as they work to increase accountability for results of education for all students.
• Conducts directed research in the area of assessment and accountability.

Several studies compared the effects of color contrast for students with disabilities and students without disabilities....
08/20/2026

Several studies compared the effects of color contrast for students with disabilities and students without disabilities. Some found performance benefits specifically for students with disabilities, while others found no measurable differences.

These mixed findings reinforce the importance of selecting accommodations based on individual student needs rather than assuming one solution fits all.

Learn more in the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit: https://z.umn.edu/ColorResearch

As students head back to school, it’s an important time to understand how accommodations can support access to assessmen...
08/19/2026

As students head back to school, it’s an important time to understand how accommodations can support access to assessments.

What is extended time, how is it used, and who may benefit?

Explore what the research tells us in NCEO’s Accommodations Toolkit: z.umn.edu/ExTime

This Decision-Making Tool highlights how instructional teams, with the support of school personnel, can prepare for plac...
08/19/2026

This Decision-Making Tool highlights how instructional teams, with the support of school personnel, can prepare for placement transitions using the Goldilocks Principle.

Link: https://z.umn.edu/goldilocks

Studies have found improved performance for some students with attention-related disabilities and for students experienc...
08/18/2026

Studies have found improved performance for some students with attention-related disabilities and for students experiencing difficulties with geometry when enhanced color contrast was available.

Read the full research summary in the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit: https://z.umn.edu/ColorResearch

What happens when color contrast is used on reading assessments?Some studies found improvements in reading performance, ...
08/13/2026

What happens when color contrast is used on reading assessments?
Some studies found improvements in reading performance, while others found little or no effect. For example, one study reported gains in reading fluency for students with visual impairments, but those gains did not extend to reading comprehension.

These findings highlight why accommodations should be selected thoughtfully rather than applied universally.

Explore the research behind these findings in the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit: https://z.umn.edu/ColorResearch

The Goldilocks Principle is known as the “just right” concept. When school teams consider a student's transition from on...
08/12/2026

The Goldilocks Principle is known as the “just right” concept. When school teams consider a student's transition from one placement to another, they may develop a plan to support the student.

Link: https://z.umn.edu/goldilocks

Research suggests that color contrast may support some students with visual impairments as well as some students with at...
08/11/2026

Research suggests that color contrast may support some students with visual impairments as well as some students with attention-related disabilities, including ADHD. However, like many accommodations, it is not equally effective for every student.

Accommodation decisions should always be based on individual student needs and supported by evidence whenever possible.

Learn more in the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit: https://z.umn.edu/ColorResearch

Color contrast is an accommodation that changes the visual presentation of assessment content by adjusting background an...
08/06/2026

Color contrast is an accommodation that changes the visual presentation of assessment content by adjusting background and text colors to improve visibility. It can be provided digitally or through paper-based color overlays, depending on the testing format.

Explore the complete research summary in the NCEO Accommodations Toolkit: https://z.umn.edu/ColorResearch

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