What's Happening?
The National College Testing Association (NCTA) has announced its 2026 Annual Conference, scheduled to take place from September 14-17, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento in California. The conference will feature various events, including a tour of
the Testing Center at California State University, Sacramento. This tour, led by Alan Dixon-Hurd, Assistant Director of the Disability Access Center, and Michael Smith, Testing Coordinator, will offer attendees an inside look at the operations of a center that proctors approximately 15,000 exams annually for a campus of 32,000 students. These exams include accommodated, make-up, and high-stakes tests from providers like Pearson, Kryterion, TEAS, and Meazure Learning. Additionally, the conference will host an Adventure Quest Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, allowing participants to explore Sacramento's landmarks and history. Theresa Novotny, NCTA Professional Development Chair and Conference Chair, along with Lisa M. Borre, NCTA Professional Development Co-chair, and Alan Dixon-Hurd, NCTA Program Committee Chair, are among the presenters.
Why It's Important?
This conference is significant for professionals in the educational testing sector across the U.S., providing a platform for networking, professional development, and the exchange of best practices. The tour of California State University, Sacramento's Testing Center offers valuable insights into managing large-scale testing operations, particularly concerning accommodated and high-stakes exams, which are critical for ensuring equitable access and valid assessment outcomes in higher education. The focus on operational efficiency and diverse testing needs can inform strategies for other institutions facing similar challenges. The event also fosters collaboration among testing professionals, potentially leading to the development of new standards and technologies that enhance the integrity and accessibility of academic testing nationwide. For Sacramento, hosting such a national conference brings economic benefits through tourism and local business engagement.
What's Next?
Registration for the NCTA 2026 Annual Conference is currently open, with specific deadlines for proctor certification registration (September 3, 2026) and accommodation requests (August 19, 2026). Attendees who register for the conference will receive additional information closer to the event date, particularly regarding the testing center tour, for which participants will be responsible for their own transportation. The NCTA has also provided a template letter to help attendees justify their participation to their respective institutions. The conference agenda will likely include a range of sessions and workshops designed to address current trends and challenges in educational testing, further shaping the future practices of testing centers across the country.
Beyond the Headlines
The NCTA conference highlights the evolving landscape of educational testing, particularly the increasing complexity of accommodating diverse student needs and managing high-stakes examinations. The emphasis on touring a university testing center underscores the practical, operational challenges faced by institutions in maintaining secure, fair, and accessible testing environments. This event also subtly points to the broader discussion around the role of standardized testing in education, the integration of technology in proctoring, and the continuous need for professional development in this specialized field. The insights gained from such conferences can influence policy decisions regarding testing standards, resource allocation for disability services, and the adoption of new assessment methodologies, ultimately impacting student success and institutional accountability nationwide.
