You take tests for everything, but the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—also called The Nation’s Report Card—is unique.
The Nation’s Report Card is a resource—a national wakeup call—because it gives us a window into the state of our education system. The results provide educators, policymakers, elected officials, and parents across the country with invaluable information regarding how you and your peers are doing compared to other students in participating large urban districts, other states, and the nation.
When you participate, you are helping to inform decisions about how to improve the U.S. education system. Your participation can and often does lead to change.
In Connecticut, NAEP survey questionnaire data revealed that grade 12 African American and Hispanic students were less likely than their White and Asian/Pacific Islander peers to take advanced mathematics courses. These data informed early efforts to address uneven opportunity to learn and reduce achievement gaps. Today, Connecticut’s accountability system includes an expectation that all students have the chance to experience challenging coursework in high school.
NAEP survey questionnaire data showed that eighth- and twelfth-grade students in Iowa were less likely than their peers across the country to take advanced mathematics courses. This information led the Statewide Mathematics Leadership Team—a team of district and regional educators focused on supporting mathematics instruction, assessment, and professional development—to take action to encourage higher levels of mathematics enrollment across Iowa.
To address the state’s growing economy and workforce needs, Oregon referenced grade 4 NAEP mathematics data to shape a STEM Education Plan in 2016. This plan was established to develop important science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills for students of all races, economic status, and regions.
In 2009, the NAEP assessment revealed that Detroit schoolchildren ranked the lowest in the nation in both grades 4 and 8. In response to the alarming results, The Detroit Free Press partnered with the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) to create and implement a new reading initiative, The Call to Action for a new Reading Corps, which encouraged citizens to volunteer 100,000 hours collectively to tutor reading in DPS schools.
In 2005, results from the NAEP reading assessment revealed that eighth grade students in North Carolina scored below the national average. In response, the state deployed more than 200 literacy coaches to middle schools around the state to help teachers reach students with reading difficulties before they made the transition to high school.
Every year, the nation depends on students like you to participate in the NAEP. Not all students take the assessment; you were selected to represent hundreds of students just like you across the country. To make sure that the NAEP results report just how much you and your peers know and can do, it's essential that you participate in the assessment and try your best.
Check out the most recent results for the nation, states, and selected urban districts at the Nation’s Report Card.
Learn MoreYou will be asked to answer questions for a specific subject area and also to complete a survey questionnaire that provides insights on your educational experience in and outside of the classroom.
During testing, all necessary equipment (tablets, ear buds, and administrative equipment) will be provided by NAEP. The only resources your school will need to provide are space, desks or tables, and electricity. You will learn about how to use the tablet and how to enter your responses by viewing a short tutorial. The test will take 90-120 minutes.
Learn MoreThe 2018 assessments in civics, geography, U.S. history, and technology and engineering literacy (TEL) for grades 4 and 8 were completed in March. The next assessment year will begin January 2019.
Learn MoreExplore frequently asked questions about participating in NAEP, or download the PDF for viewing and printing.
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