About NAEP

A Common Measure of Student Achievement

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides important information about student academic achievement and learning experiences in various subjects. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP has provided meaningful results to improve education policy and practice since 1969. Results are available for the nation, states, and 27 urban districts.

NAEP is a congressionally mandated program that is overseen and administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. The National Assessment Governing Board, an independent body appointed by the Secretary of Education, sets NAEP policy.

An Overview of NAEPClick to open pdf.NAEP: COVID-19 Resources NAEP History and Innovation NAEP is a Common Yardstick NAEP Data Informs Policy and Practice NAEP Includes SD/EL Students NAEP Accommodations FAQ

NAEP in the News

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The 74December 12, 202314 Charts that Changed the Way We Looked at America’s Schools in 2023 New York TimesOctober 10, 2023Who Runs the Best U.S. Schools? It May Be the Defense Department.Education WeekSeptember 11, 2023Q & A: Top NAEP Official Talks About the Future of Nation’s Report Card and More K-12 DiveSeptember 06, 2023Higher chronic absenteeism rates linked to NAEP score declines ChalkbeatJuly 18, 2023Mississippi made big test score gains. Here’s what to make of them.The HillJuly 13, 2023Reading for fun plunges to ‘crisis’ level for US students K-12 DiveMay 03, 2023More NAEP declines: Scores drop for 8th graders on US history, civics tests CNNMay 01, 2023One group of students saw unexpected gains on the ‘Nation’s Report Card’ during the pandemic The New York TimesNovember 14, 2022The Nation's 'Report Card' on Remote Learning Education WeekOctober 24, 2022Explaining That Steep Drop in Math Scores on NAEP: 5 Takeaways Education WeekOctober 24, 20225 Things to Know About the Slide in Reading Achievement on NAEP

NAEP data are discussed and cited frequently in education news, as shown in the above articles. Please note that NCES is not affiliated with and does not endorse any media outlets or publications.

Results Available

SUBJECT	JURISDICTION	GRADE	WHAT IS ASSESSED?
Reading	NATIONAL STATE DISTRICT	4 8 12 4 8 12 4 8 12	Students are asked to read grade-appropriate literary and informational materials and answer questions based on what they have read.
Mathematics	NATIONAL STATE DISTRICT	4 8 12 4 8 12 4 8 12	Students answer questions designed to measure one of the five mathematics content areas in number properties and operations, measurement, geometry, data analysis, statistics, and probability, and algebra.
Science *	NATIONAL STATE	4 8 12 4 8	Students demonstrate their knowledge and abilities in the areas of Earth and space science, physical science, and life science.
Writing *	NATIONAL	8 12	Students demonstrate how well they can write persuasive, explanatory, and narrative essays.
Arts	NATIONAL	8	Students are asked to observe, describe, analyze, evaluate works of music and visual art and to create original works of visual art.
Civics **	NATIONAL	4 8 12	Students are assessed on their knowledge and skills critical to the responsibilities of citizenship in the constitutional democracy of the United States.
Geography **	NATIONAL	4 8 12	Students demonstrate their knowledge of world geography (space and place, environment and society, and spatial dynamics and connections).
Economics	NATIONAL	12	Students are assessed on their understanding of how economies and markets work, the benefits and costs of economics interaction and interdependence, and the choices people make regarding limited resources.
U.S. History **	NATIONAL	4 8 12	Students are asked to demonstrate their knowledge of U.S. history in the context of democracy, culture, technological and economic changes.
Technology and Engineering Literacy	NATIONAL	8	Students apply their technology and engineering skills to real-life situations.
* Note: The availability of State assessment results in science and writing varies by year. ** Note: The availability of grade 4 and 12 results in civics, geography, and U.S. history varies by year.

Who We Are

Congressionally Mandated National Assessment ProgramBy law, NCES is responsible for carrying out the operational components of NAEP. The National Assessment Governing Board, an independent body of educators, community leaders, and assessment experts, sets NAEP policy.

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Last updated 21 March 2024 (DS)