President’s Message – March 2026

News@NCME, President's Message

Dear NCME Colleagues,

As we head into the final stretch before our Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, there is a lot of energy across NCME. With just weeks remaining in my term, I am incredibly proud of what we’ve advanced together and even more excited about what’s ahead. From regional gatherings to expanded professional development opportunities and more, NCME continues to strengthen connections, elevate rigor, and thoughtfully evolve to meet the moment.

Regional Meet-Up in Iowa City Was a Success: Last Stop Before L.A.

I had a wonderful time (re)connecting with colleagues and friends in the Iowa City area for my second and final NCME regional meet-up. About 35 NCME members joined, including Sonya Powers, Chair of the Budget and Finance Committee; Won-Chan Lee, former board member and current editor of the Journal of Educational Measurement; and H.D. Hoover, NCME past president. I had the opportunity to meet several University of Iowa graduate students and local assessment professionals and to reconnect with former classmates and mentors.

These regional gatherings have been a powerful reminder that NCME is strongest when we create space for connection across career stages, institutions, and roles. It was a meaningful event and a fitting lead-in to our Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. You can find event photos here.

Upcoming Webinars: More Ways to Connect and Learn

Expanding access to high-quality professional learning has been a priority this year, and I am thrilled by the range of webinar offerings our committees and SIGIMIEs continue to lead.

I’m looking forward to participating in the webinar tomorrow sponsored by the Graduate Students’ Issues Committee: Getting Ready for NCME Annual Meeting, (March 6 at Noon Eastern). Graduate students can register for this session here.

The Classroom Assessment Committee is sponsoring two upcoming engaging sessions, the first on March 6, highlighting Classroom Assessment sessions at the upcoming AERA/NCME Annual Meetings and co-sponsored by the Assessment and Measurement to Support Classroom Learning SIGIMIE, along with the AERA Classroom Assessment SIG.

I am also really excited about an event organized by ITEMS editor Stella Kim with authors of the most recent ITEMS, Won-Chan Lee and Sanford Student, discussing their modules, how to get the most out of NCME’s collection of courses, and how we are working to better organize and advertise these for our members.

See the full calendar of webinars and register here.

One Month Until NCME 2026: Session and Event Highlights

The preliminary program for the NCME 2026 Annual Meeting at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown April 8–11, is now available, and registration is open!

I am especially excited about our new session format (coordinated posters), the session on Threats and Opportunities on the Federal Statistics Landscape, the debates, and the Battle of the NCME Presidents. The program reflects our commitment to methodological rigor, interdisciplinary dialogue, and creative risk-taking. The program co-chairs will be highlighting many sessions in the coming weeks, but here are several key events where you will find me and members of the Board of Directors:

We are grateful to provide a limited number of travel grants to attendees this year. If you are in a position to contribute, gifts to the Mission Fund designated “travel grants” directly expand access to our Annual Meeting and other events and help strengthen the pipeline of future leaders in measurement.

Committee Focus: Training & Professional Development and Membership

Later in this newsletter, you can read more about initiatives from the Training and Professional Development (T&PD) and Membership Committees.

With it’s expanded membership and focus, the T&PD Committee is beginning to investigate how to expand accessible learning opportunities for members across career stages, strengthening pathways into and through the field.

The Membership Committee’s Mentoring Program remains a cornerstone of community-building within NCME. I encourage you to sign up—whether as a mentor or mentee—and contribute to the kind of professional generosity that sustains our field.

Update from the NCME Presidential Task Force on the Role of Educational Measurement in the Protection and Advancement of Civil Rights: Upcoming Activities

Later in the News, you will see an update from the NCME Presidential Task Force on the Role of Educational Measurement in the Protection and Advancement of Civil Rights regarding the release and commentary period for the group’s manuscript, which they have dedicated themselves to for almost two years following Past NCME President Michael Walker’s formation of the task force. I look forward to reviewing this important document as well as to attending the session organized by the task force at the NCME 2026 Annual Meeting.

Volunteer for a Committee

NCME thrives because of the time, expertise, and leadership of its volunteers. If you have been considering deeper engagement, I encourage you to explore committee opportunities. Your perspective strengthens both our community and the field more broadly. The committee membership transitions occur through the April Annual Meeting. Please complete this form to express your interest.

As I prepare to pass the Theta-hat hat in April, I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve this community. NCME’s strength lies in your ideas, your rigor, and your willingness to move the field forward—thoughtfully, boldly, and collaboratively. I look forward to seeing many of you in Los Angeles and to making NCME 2026 one to remember.

Warm regards,
Amy Hendrickson
President, NCME