Modernizing NAEP Assessments: Frequently Asked Questions about Current and Future Activities

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has a long record of making advancements in large-scale assessments, including for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). As digital technologies become more prevalent and relevant for student learning and assessment, NCES has taken steps to ensure that NAEP aligns with the 21st-century digital age. Of note, NCES transitioned all of the main NAEP assessments from a paper-and-pencil format to a digital mode more than five years ago.¹

This year, NCES has moved closer to its goal of having a flexible model for assessing students online, in any environment, and on familiar devices. This blog post answers frequently asked questions about current and future NAEP innovations, which are only possible through collaborations with participating schools, teachers, and students. In an interview with K-12 Dive last year, NCES Commissioner Peggy Carr emphasized, “As [we] continue to innovate, we will partner closely with educators, policymakers, and others to ensure the appropriate balance of cost, benefit, and burden, while keeping the quality and integrity of data as our top priority.”

What modernization efforts were made in 2024?

In 2024, we administered NAEP assessments using school Internet access for the first time and using NAEP-provided Chromebooks along with the traditionally used Microsoft Surface Pros. Developing the ability to use schools’ Internet access and a variety of testing devices is an important step in making for a more flexible administration of NAEP in schools. The overall goal is to make NAEP’s administration model more efficient and to administer the assessment on devices (e.g., desktops, laptops, tablets with keyboards) that students are familiar with at school and at home.

When will the 2024 results be released?

We are planning to release the 2024 results in early 2025. The reporting timeline is approximately three months longer than usual so that we can complete a bridge study for the transition from administering NAEP on only Microsoft Surface Pro tablets to administering the assessment on Chromebooks, as well.

What modernizations are planned for NAEP in 2025 and 2026?

We will continue to progress toward more flexible administration of NAEP, including using school devices and Internet where possible. In 2025, we will conduct a field test to help refine processes, protocols, and system enhancements for future assessments. The modernizations will be fully implemented in 2026, informed by lessons learned from the 2025 field test.

We will also conduct a bridge study in 2026 to allow the scores from school devices to be bridged to those from NAEP-provided devices, linking them to existing trendlines. Much like the current bridge study, which has necessitated a longer reporting timeline for the 2024 results, we expect the bridge study in 2026 will also extend the reporting timeline for those findings.

To learn more about the transitions being studied as part of the 2025 field test, visit: https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/subject/participating/pdfs/naep_2025_modernizations_faq.pdfClick to open pdf..