Mathematics Assessment

The mathematics framework defines five broad content areas and three levels of complexity. It also specifies the number of questions in each content area by grade. The framework guides the collection and reporting of contextual information about students’ learning experience in and out of the classroom. The mathematics framework was updated in 2005, and again, in 2009. Learn more about the content areas, levels of complexity, survey questionnaires, and the the history of framework changes.

• Content Areas and Level of Complexity

  Learn what the mathematics assessment measures.

• Survey Questionnaires

  See questionnaires given to students, teachers, and school administrators. Questionnaires collect information about students' experiences in and out of the classroom.

• History of Framework Changes

  See a history of changes to the mathematics framework.

• State Profiles

  Use the State Profiles tool to find key data about your state and see tables and maps that compare the results of states/jurisdictions.

• District Profiles

  Results for districts that participate in the Trial Urban District Assessment are available in the District Profiles tool.

Student performance on the NAEP mathematics assessments is presented in two ways: scale scores and achievement levels.

• Scale scores represent how students performed on the mathematics assessment. Scores are aggregated and reported at the student group level for the nation, states, and districts.
• Achievement levels are performance standards that describe what students should know and be able to do. Results are reported as percentages of students performing at or above three achievement levels (Basic, Proficient, and Advanced). Students performing at or above the Proficient level on NAEP assessments demonstrate solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter. It should be noted that the NAEP Proficient achievement level does not represent grade level proficiency as determined by other assessment standards (e.g., state or district assessments).
  

Item maps illustrate how specific mathematics knowledge and skills correspond to different NAEP achievement levels. Item maps answer the question, "What does it mean for students to be at Basic, Proficient, or Advanced in terms of what they know and can do?"

• Scale Scores

  See mathematics scale scores.

• Achievement Levels

  See mathematics achievement levels for Basic, Proficient, and Advanced.

• Item Maps

  See how specific mathematics knowledge and skills correspond to different NAEP achievement levels (Basic, Proficient, and Advanced).