Reading Assessment

The reading framework specifies the use of three types of literary texts and three broad categories of informational texts that vary by grade. The framework also guides the collection and reporting of contextual information about students’ learning experience in and out of the classroom. The reading framework was updated in 2009 and replaced the framework used for the 1992-2007 reading assessments.

• What the Reading Assessment Measures

  Learn about the reading framework and the history of framework changes.

• Survey Questionnaires

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

• 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 reading assessment is reported in two ways: as scale scores and as achievement levels.

• Scale scores represent how students performed on the reading 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 reading 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 reading scale scores.

• Achievement Levels

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

• Item Maps

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