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Dear NCME Colleagues:
“The National Council on Measurement in Education is a community of measurement scientists and practitioners who work together to advance theory and applications of educational measurement to benefit society.”
This mission statement continues to ground our work and purpose. In a time when educational measurement practices, data, and the very foundation of science are under increasing scrutiny and threat, these guiding principles are more important than ever.
As I step into the role of NCME President, I do so with humility and resolve. In this period of instability and uncertainty, my foremost priority is to listen to our members and respond with meaningful action. Many of us have called NCME our professional home—throughout graduate school, career milestones, and leadership journeys. I want NCME to continue being a source of stability, connection, and support—a safe harbor for our community as we navigate a challenging landscape.
I invite you to engage with me in answering a critical question: How Can NCME Help? Here are three areas where I hope we can work together to make an impact:
1. How Can NCME Help Members?
We must focus on member support through training, networking, and opportunity-sharing—especially for those at career transitions or re-entering the job market.
- We’re excited for the AI in Measurement and Education (AIME-Con) conference this October in Pittsburgh, PA. Organized by the AIME SIGIMIE, this event—Innovation and Evidence: Shaping the Future AI in Educational Measurement—promises to expand our community and conversation around AI in our field.
- We're improving how we share job and internship opportunities, including expanding the kinds of roles we feature and creating better pipelines between members and organizations.
- I aim to strengthen our strategy around webinars and virtual training, possibly by introducing learning progressions tailored to member needs.
- We’re also in early talks with AEFP, SREE, and APPAM to collaborate on joint webinars covering topics like grant writing, LLC formation, and state/district policy collaboration.
2. How Can NCME Help the Field of Educational Measurement?
Our field faces real risk from funding cuts and contract cancellations, especially in federal projects.
- NCME can serve as a connector and advocate, identifying halted research and facilitating partnerships to preserve critical data and trend-reporting efforts.
- Building a stronger pipeline to our field is another priority. We must reach out to undergraduates in adjacent fields, offer scholarships, and increase visibility in disciplines like psychology, data science, and education.
3. How Can NCME Help Society and the Public Understanding of Educational Measurement?
We must strengthen the bridge between measurement experts and the communities we serve.
- We’ll continue building alliances with policymakers and practitioners to promote sound testing practices.
- The work of the Presidential Task Force on the Role of Educational Measurement in the Protection and Advancement of Civil Rights, spearheaded by Michael Walker, will guide new initiatives to ensure our work contributes positively to justice and equity.
- I’d also like to see us invest in assessment literacy tools that increase the public’s understanding of what good testing looks like.
- Finally, we need to enhance partnerships both within and outside NCME to share our collective knowledge more broadly.
My passion for service and collaboration is only a reflection of what so many of you already embody. More than 250 of you serve NCME as committee members, editors, board members, and SIGIMIE leaders. Your dedication fuels our momentum.
In the words of Jane Goodall, “What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Together, I know we will make a difference that matters.
I am listening, learning, and ready to lead—with you.
With gratitude,
Amy Hendrickson
NCME President, 2025
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