Parents' Frequently Asked Questions About NAEP

What is the NAEP Assessment?

NAEP, or the National Assessment of Educational Progress, is often called the "Nation's Report Card." It is the only measure of student achievement in the United States where you can compare the performance of students in your state with the performance of students across the nation or in other states. NAEP, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, has been conducted since 1969. The results are widely reported by the national and local media. Learn more about NAEP.

Does NAEP replace the state tests that my child takes every year?

No. The achievement tests that your state requires each year are different from NAEP assessments.

Why do we need both the state achievement tests and NAEP?

Most state tests measure student performance on the state's own curriculum standards (i.e., what the state considers important for their students to know and be able to do). State tests allow comparisons of results over time within the state, and in most cases give individual student scores so that parents can know how their child is performing. State tests do not provide comparisons of results with other states or the nation.

NAEP is the only assessment that allows you to compare results from one state with those of another, or with results for the rest of the nation. NAEP helps states answer such questions as the following: How does the performance of students in my state compare with the performance in other states with similar resources or students? How does my state's performance compare with the region's? Are my state's gains in student performance keeping up with the pace of improvement in other states?

Together, state achievement tests and NAEP help educators and policymakers have a comprehensive picture of student performance.

Why does my state participate in NAEP?

One reason a state chooses to participate in NAEP is that it considers NAEP data to be a valuable source of information. Some states use NAEP results to supplement the information they get from their own tests. NAEP permits your state to directly compare how it performs relative to the nation and other states. Since 1992, more than 40 states have participated in every state NAEP assessment.

Another reason for state participation, beginning with the NAEP 2003 assessment, came about with the passage of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation.  The NCLB was passed by the U.S. Congress in 2001, and requires that states receiving federal "Title I" education funds participate in NAEP reading and mathematics assessments at grades 4 and 8 every two years (view the assessment schedule).

You can see your state's participation history and performance by selecting your state from the NAEP State Profiles. Within your state's profile you will find visual displays that permit you to compare your state's performance with that of the nation and other states.

How many schools in my state have been selected?

In a typical state, 100 schools are selected in grade 4, and 100 schools in grade 8. These schools are selected to represent the demographic and geographic composition of the state. Get more information about how schools are selected and how NAEP is administered.

What will participation in NAEP mean for my child?

How was my child selected?

Your child was randomly selected to participate. Your child represents students in your state attending schools with similar characteristics.

Within a selected school and grade, 25 to 30 students are chosen for each subject tested. All of the data from selected students from all of the schools are then combined to represent all students in the state. The participation of every student selected helps ensure the most accurate measure of student performance in your state and the nation.

Does my child have to take NAEP?

No. Unlike your state's assessment, which is mandatory for students, NAEP is voluntary for students. However, your child represents hundreds of students in your state. If all selected students participate, NAEP provides a very accurate measurement of your state's overall achievement.

States want their NAEP results to be accurate and fair indicators of how well their students are doing. The results are widely publicized. Your state's performance on NAEP is often presented in comparison with that in other states and the nation, as is the progress that your state makes from one NAEP assessment year to another. Your state board of education and your legislature use the NAEP results for planning programs to address specific needs in your state. The amount of federal funding that your state receives may also be affected by participation in NAEP.