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The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as "the Nation's Report Card," is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what America's students know and can do in various subject areas. Since 1969, assessments have been conducted periodically in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, and the arts.

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The National Assessments of Adult Literacy (NAAL) provides nationally representative and a continuing assessment of English language literacy skills of American adults. NAAL seeks to: describe the status of adult literacy in the U.S.; report on national trends; and identify relationships between literacy and selected characteristics of adults. NCES has conducted adult literacy assessments since 1985. A nationally representative sample of adults will be assessed again in 2003, providing an indication of the nation's progress in adult literacy since 1992.

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