Data Informs Policy and Practice

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides a common measure of student achievement across the country. Policymakers, educators, the assessment community, and the media use NAEP to improve education for our nation's students. NAEP data informs education policy and practice by

reporting the achievement of various student groups;
analyzing NAEP results in the context of educational experiences;
contributing to the conversation about education and providing additional analysis of the data beyond the Nation's Report Cards at various conferences, events, and blog discussions; and
providing tools and resources for the classroom and data analysis.

NAEP Sparks Change Across the Country

NAEP Inspires Change: OregonTo address the state's growing economy and workforce needs, Oregon referenced grade 4 NAEP mathematics data to shape a STEM Education Plan in 2016. This plan was established to develop important science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills for students of all races, economic status, and regions.

NAEP Inspires Change: IowaNAEP survey questionnaire data showed that eighth- and twelfth-grade students in Iowa were less likely than their peers across the country to take advanced mathematics courses. This information led the Statewide Mathematics Leadership Team-a team of district and regional educators focused on supporting mathematics instruction, assessment, and professional development-to take action to encourage higher levels of mathematics enrollment across Iowa.

NAEP Inspires Change: North CarolinaIn 2005, results from the NAEP reading assessment revealed that eighth grade students in North Carolina scored below the national average. In response, the state deployed more than 200 literacy coaches to middle schools around the state to help teachers reach students with reading difficulties before they made the transition to high school.

NAEP Offers Insight into Achievement for Various Student Groups

NAEP results reflect the overall performance of different student groups. Results are released for student groups based on the following:

race or ethnicity,
eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunch,
identification as students with disabilities,
identification as English learners,
type of school, and
highest level of parental education.

Student Groups The Nation's Report Card

Compared to 1990, higher percentages of White, Black, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander students performed at or above the NAEP Basic and NAEP Proficient levels and lower percentages of students performed below NAEP Basic in 2019.

EXPLORE THE NATION'S REPORT CARD

NAEP Reports Results in the Context of Educational Experiences

Participating students, teachers, and school administrators complete questionnaires about educational experiences and related factors that could affect students’ learning. Questionnaire responses help give the assessment results context. Explore the latest findings about students' educational experiences and opportunities for learning.

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NAEP Contributes to the Conversation

Convening ExpertsNCES regularly hosts and attends events to discuss student achievement and opportunities for improvement. Explore a playlist that includes recent webinars, conference sessions, and explore upcoming NAEP conferences and events.

Conferences and Webinar Recordings NAEP Events Schedule

NAEP Plus Blog NCES contributes to the conversation about education in our nation through the NAEP Plus Blog which discusses NAEP data and its implications and opportunities for the future.

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NAEP Provides Tools and Resources for Educators

NAEP provides educators with tools and resources to

create tests using NAEP sample questions,
access data about educational experiences and NAEP performance across regions, states, districts, and
understand what skills and abilities students demonstrate at the NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced achievement levels.

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Last updated 28 April 2022 (DS)