NCEO Teleconference 6: August 25, 2003

What Do We Know About Universally-designed Assessments, and How Should That Guide Our Practices?

Researchers and state practitioners will share current understanding, including a focus on considerations for item development and review, and overall test design. Given these considerations, they will suggest language for RFPs, test specifications, and item specifications.

In order to get the most out of our August 25 teleconference, please review these materials online, or if you prefer, download them to your computer, or print them out. Thank you.

Note: Some of the files below require Acrobat Reader. These are marked with an Acrobat logo. If you don't have this software, go to the Acrobat Reader Web site for a free download.

I. Materials for Teleconference 6

a. NCEO topic area on universally designed assessments, contains Q and A and resources.

b. Universal Design Applied to Large Scale Assessments (Synthesis Report 44)
Reference: Thompson, S. J., Johnstone, C. J., & Thurlow, M. L. (2002). Universal design applied to large scale assessments (Synthesis Report 44). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes. At http://education.umn.edu/nceo/OnlinePubs/Synthesis44.html and http://education.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/Synth44.pdf

c. Universally Designed Assessments: Better Tests for Everyone! (Policy Directions 14)
Reference: Thompson, S., & Thurlow, M. (2002). Universally designed assessments: Better tests for everyone! (Policy Directions No. 14). Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota, National Center on Educational Outcomes. At http://education.umn.edu/nceo/OnlinePubs/Policy14.htm and http://education.umn.edu/NCEO/OnlinePubs/PolicyDirections14.pdf

d. Draft CONSIDERATIONS for reviewing items

Draft CONSIDERATIONS for reviewing tests

Draft CONSIDERATIONS for reviewing RFPs, contracts, or other materials

II. Additional Resources

a. University of Kentucky Universal Design of Assessment project
http://www.ihdi.uky.edu/uda/

b. Universal Design for Learning: Four State Initiatives
http://www.nasdse.org/FORUM/udl.pdf

c. Reading, Tyopography and Low Vision: A Few Guidelines for Making Large Print Documents and Tests More Accessible (PowerPoint)

Research Panelists
Sandy Thompson, National Center on Educational Outcomes

Other UDA research project representatives:
Jerry Tindal, University of Oregon
Jacqui Kearns, University of Kentucky
Bob Dolan, CAST

State Practitioner Panelists
Lorraine Patuski and Tim Kurtz, New Hampshire Department of Education, also representing the New England Compact

Federal Panelists
OSEP: David Malouf and Cynthia Bryant

Title I: Sue Rigney

Co-hosts
Camilla Bayliss, Western Regional Resource Center

Rachel Quenemoen, National Center on Educational Outcomes