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Data Informs Policy and Practice
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. Policymakers, educators, the assessment community, and the media use NAEP data to improve education for our nation's students. NAEP data informs education policy and practice by
- reporting the achievement of various student groups;
- analyzing NAEP results in the context of educational experiences;
- contributing to the conversation about education and providing additional analysis of the data beyond the Nation's Report Cards at various conferences, events, and blog discussions; and
- providing tools and resources for the classroom and data analysis.
NAEP in the News
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The 74December 12, 202314 Charts that Changed the Way We Looked at America’s Schools in 2023New 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 MoreK-12 DiveSeptember 06, 2023Higher chronic absenteeism rates linked to NAEP score declinesChalkbeatJuly 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 studentsK-12 DiveMay 03, 2023More NAEP declines: Scores drop for 8th graders on US history, civics testsCNNMay 01, 2023One group of students saw unexpected gains on the ‘Nation’s Report Card’ during the pandemicThe New York TimesNovember 14, 2022The Nation's 'Report Card' on Remote LearningEducation WeekOctober 24, 2022Explaining That Steep Drop in Math Scores on NAEP: 5 TakeawaysEducation WeekOctober 24, 20225 Things to Know About the Slide in Reading Achievement on NAEP
NAEP Sparks Change Across the Country
NAEP Inspires Change: OregonTo 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.
NAEP Inspires Change: IowaNAEP 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.
NAEP Inspires Change: North CarolinaIn 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.
NAEP Offers Insight into Achievement for Various Student Groups
NAEP results reflect the overall performance of different student groups. Results are released for student groups based on the following:
- race or ethnicity,
- eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunch,
- identification as students with disabilities,
- identification as English learners,
- type of school, and
- highest level of parental education.
NAEP Reports Results in the Context of Educational Experiences
Participating students, teachers, and school administrators complete questionnaires about educational experiences and related factors that could affect students’ learning. Questionnaire responses help give the assessment results context. Explore the latest findings about students' educational experiences and opportunities for learning.
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NAEP Contributes to the Conversation
Convening ExpertsNCES regularly hosts and attends events to discuss education data, student achievement, and opportunities for improvement. Explore a playlist that includes recent webinars, conference sessions, and explore upcoming NAEP conferences and events.
NAEP Plus BlogNCES contributes to the conversation about education in our nation through the
NAEP Plus Blog which discusses NAEP data and its implications and opportunities for the future.
NAEP Provides Tools and Resources for Educators
NAEP provides educators with tools and resources to
- explore education data and statistics
- create tests using NAEP sample questions,
- access data about educational experiences and NAEP performance across regions, states, districts, and
- understand what skills and abilities students demonstrate at the NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced achievement levels.
Last updated 03 April 2024 (DS)
