National Assessment of Educational Progress Results

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) – commonly referred to as “The Nation’s Report Card” – is an assessment conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education, to provide an independent barometer of math, writing, reading and science proficiency of 4th-, 8th- and 12th-graders in public and non-public schools.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 (NCLB) requires all 50 states to participate in the 4th- and 8th-grade NAEP assessments in reading and writing every year. Participation in the 12th grade NAEP assessments is voluntary and the results are not disaggregated at the state-level.

There are major differences in achievement levels among minority students and low-income students—those who qualify for the National School Lunch Program—and more affluent students. A student whose family income is near the federal poverty line is likely to score lower on the NAEP than a student from a wealthier household.