iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

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

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

It’s 90% how you label it. Love your optimistic label.

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Reposted by Cara Cahalan Laitusis

Andrew Ho @andrewdeanho.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

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

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/08/2025

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.

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NCME @ncme38.bsky.social · 05/08/2025

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

doi.org

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...

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 23/07/2025

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/...

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American Institutes for Research @airinforms.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

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...

nciea.org

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.

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The Center for Assessment @nciea.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

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!

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

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.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 14/06/2025

Seems like this is classic correlation is not causal. My bet is that stress causes both poor food choices/carb-sugar cravings (thus eating less fruits and vegetables) and sleep disturbances.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 07/06/2025

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

Infographic: K12 Persona Spectrum with 4 rows and three columns.
Rows are labeled permanent, temporary, and situational. Columns are Touch, See, Hear, Speak. Each cell has an image with text that include:
Row 1 Touch: Permanent Person with One Arm Temporary, Person with broken arm, Situational Person Eating Snack.
Row 2 See: Permanent Blind, Temporary Forgot Glasses, Situational Sitting in back of class.
Row 3 Hear: Permanent Deaf, Temporary Ear Infection, Situational Noisy Playground.
Row 4: Speak: Permanent Non Verbal, Temporary Laryngitis, Situational Heavy Accent.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 10/05/2025

So great! maybe another academic can place this “development milestone” on a continuum along with first apartment, getting their own health insurance, and moving off the family cell phone plan.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Excellent presidency and talk. Thank you for your service and uplifting all the unpaid service members provide to sustain @ncme38.bsky.social

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

#AERA2025 going on now Mile High Ballroom 1EF convention center

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

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

Cartoon about different voices in divided nation

Formative assessment task on Presidential Executive Orders

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

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...

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/04/2025

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...

xcdsystem.com

NCME 2025 Annual Meeting

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

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...

aera.net

Accessibility and Inclusion Resources and Policies—AERA 2025 Annual Meeting

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

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

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

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

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 06/04/2025

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.

My 80 year old mother and her friends at a protest in Florida

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

Here is the statement LEAs and SEAs need to sign. www.ed.gov/media/docume...

ed.gov

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Assume you are joking , but the common app ratings for counselors don’t seem that different.

Common app ratings for constructs like integrity, maturity, disciplined habits, etc

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Reposted by Cara Cahalan Laitusis

Chris Domaleski @chrisdomaleski.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

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-...

nciea.org

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.

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Reposted by Cara Cahalan Laitusis

Andrew Ho @andrewdeanho.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

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...

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

@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.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Wow. When I was at ETS and the GRE was required we used to say that test taker volumes were counter cyclical with the economy. I doubt that is true anymore.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 13/03/2025

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...

nciea.org

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.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

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

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I thought all of NCSER were spared. I was one of the first IES awardees 20 years ago when my OSEP grant was transferred to IES. I was told it was IDEA funding so needed to stay in NCSER/IES pool. I suspect all those IDEA research dollars are headed to HHS.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

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...?

linkedin.com

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…

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

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-...?

linkedin.com

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...

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

Same. One slight tweak is that I believe state education budget may be variable with some states having increased revenue (e.g. energy) and others struggling (e.g. impact of tariffs).

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

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.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 03/03/2025

I have a few ideas for your education plan. Who can I reach out to about this?

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Reposted by Cara Cahalan Laitusis

Andrew Ho @andrewdeanho.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Anyone who cares about NAEP should worry about the abrupt removal of the person most responsible for its technical and operational quality.

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Cara Cahalan Laitusis @claitusis.bsky.social · 24/02/2025

Bright spot in my month that blends personal and professional. My kid was selected to play in the Duke vs. UNC Unified #basketball game on Tuesday March 4th 7:00pm at Cameron. I hope those in #NorthCarolina come out to support the Special Olympics athletes @specialolympics.bsky.social #inclusion

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