Elizabeth Towles-Reeves (Liz) is the Research Coordinator for the National Alternate Assessment Center. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and art from Georgetown College in 1999. In 2000, she earned a Masters degree in Education from the University of Kentucky (UK) and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Educational Psychology program at UK. In June of 2003, she also earned a Certificate in Developmental Disabilities. Her research and evaluation skills have been used to develop literature reviews, investigate the reliability and validity of alternate assessments, examine instructional influence of the alternate assessment both longitudinally and across states, develop an evaluation system for the Inclusive Large-Scale Standards and Assessment (ILSSA) project along with other research and evaluation responsibilities. Liz's primary areas of interest include developing technically sound assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities and increasing instructional effectiveness through assessment and evaluation. Liz also believes in the strength of data-based decision making. Over the past five years, Liz conducted research within the Interdisciplinary Human Development Institute (IHDI) on numerous projects such as the Kentucky Alternate Portfolio Study (KAPS) and Including Students with Deaf-blindness in Large Scale Assessments Grant. In the past, Liz has also worked as an evaluator for the Mid-South Regional Resource Center (MSRRC), ILSSA, and Aurora Consultants where she evaluated the status and effectiveness of the Migrant Education Program in Kentucky. Liz coordinates the activities of NAAC with partner projects and states.