NAEP

Read more about how students perform on the federally administered test known as the nation’s report card
Flat vibrant vector illustration depicting science education and learning concept. Illustration is showing different ways of learning: listening, watching, observing, exploring, experimenting, asking questions, talking and communicating, reading, drawing, and writing. The female teacher is placed on the right side and there are also two pupils each one representing different theme; one girl asking question and learning by listening  and a boy holding a hand up to answer a question.
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Science Opinion Science Scores Are Down. But We Know What Would Improve Them
The when, where, and how of science instruction needs rethinking.
Emma Banay, Christine Cunningham & James Ryan, October 9, 2025
4 min read
Middle school students learn about the value and shape of matter while building containers to hold liquid during an 8th grade science class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md.
Eighth graders learn about the value and shape of matter while building containers to hold liquid during a science class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024, in Baltimore. Nationally, 8th graders lost ground in science, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Science What's Behind the Drop in Students' Science Scores on NAEP?
Survey results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress show 8th graders do less scientific inquiry now than five years ago.
Sarah Schwartz, September 10, 2025
4 min read
A stylized, faceless student has a smooth, open head with a glowing smartphone rising from it, symbolizing the smart phone and social media's impact on NAEP scores.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week + Getty Images
Standards & Accountability Opinion Student Test Scores Keep Falling. What’s Really to Blame?
There’s strong circumstantial evidence pointing to a particular culprit. (Hint: It’s not the pandemic.)
Martin R. West, September 9, 2025
5 min read
conceptual illustration of a figure coming to a crossroads
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Student Achievement Struggling High School Seniors Fall Even Further Behind on 'Nation's Report Card'
More 12th graders than ever before are scoring below the test's threshold for mastery of “basic” skills.
Sarah Schwartz, September 9, 2025
7 min read
Evaluate Score, Forecast, Businessman Holding Telescope on Performance Measure
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Assessment Fewer Subjects, Students, Data Points: Feds to Scale Back NAEP
Some 4th and 12th grade tests won't proceed as planned, following sweeping cuts to the U.S. Department of Education research arm last month.
Sarah Schwartz, April 21, 2025
5 min read
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks at the ASU + GSV Summit at the Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego, Calif., on April 8, 2025.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks at the ASU+GSV Summit at the Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego on April 8, 2025. She defended recent cuts to the federal Education Department and said she hoped an expansion of school choice would be part of her legacy.
Ariana Drehsler for Education Week
Federal Defending Ed. Dept. Cuts, Linda McMahon Says It's Time to 'Do Something Different'
Linda McMahon told ed-tech entrepreneurs she wants to cut bureaucracy but keep key federal funds flowing to schools.
Brooke Schultz, April 8, 2025
8 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
States Opinion How One State Improved Its NAEP Scores
Louisiana's state schools chief discusses the importance of reading and math instruction and "letting teachers teach."
Rick Hess, April 3, 2025
6 min read
Illustration of Covid-19 impacting 3 years of school
Vanessa Solis/Education Week and Getty Images
School & District Management Infographic 9 Charts That Show the Lasting Effects of COVID on Schools
Key data on some of the move consequential changes, five years later.
Maya Riser-Kositsky, March 18, 2025
3 min read
Education Week opinion letters submissions
Gwen Keraval for Education Week
Assessment Letter to the Editor NAEP Is a School Accountability Essential
The Trump administration must preserve the exams.
March 18, 2025
1 min read
The United States Capitol building as a bookcase filled with red, white, and blue policy books in a Washington DC landscape.
Luca D'Urbino for Education Week
Student Achievement Opinion Schools Experienced a 'Lost Decade.' How They Can Recover
Recent NAEP results underscore concerns about student achievement. A charter school founder suggests what to do.
Rick Hess, March 4, 2025
9 min read
Peggy Carr, Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press about the National Assessment of Educational Progress on Oct. 21, 2022, in Washington.
Peggy Carr, the commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, speaks about the National Assessment of Educational Progress on Oct. 21, 2022, in Washington. The Trump administration placed Carr on administrative leave less than a month after the 2024 NAEP results were released.
Alex Brandon/AP
Federal NAEP Chief Peggy Carr Put on Leave by Trump Administration
The official who oversees a key measure of the nation's educational progress was abruptly placed on leave by the Trump administration.
Evie Blad & Sarah Schwartz, February 25, 2025
4 min read
Illustration concept: data lined background with a line graph and young person holding a pencil walking across the ups and down data points.
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Assessment Trump Admin. Abruptly Cancels National Exam for High Schoolers
The cancellation raised concerns that federal spending cuts will affect long-term data used to measure educational progress.
Evie Blad, February 21, 2025
3 min read
Contemporary art collage. One hand holding graduation cap, other - stack of coins. Finical aid for education, investment in knowledge. Concept of financial literacy, success, study loan, school credit
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Education Funding Does Money Matter for Schools? NAEP Scores Reopen the Debate
A provocative set of graphs has kicked off a debate over whether—and how—more money can improve student outcomes.
Mark Lieberman & Sarah Schwartz, February 13, 2025
11 min read
Image of a person using a computer, with glasses, papers, and pencil on the desk too.
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Student Achievement The Reasons Behind the Poor NAEP Scores, According to Teachers
Educators on social media weigh in on what's behind the recent drop in student test scores.
Edér Del Prado, February 11, 2025
1 min read