Sample Letter from Participating Schools to Parents/Guardians

Dear Parent or Guardian:

(School name) will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on (date). NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The assessment is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. Results from the field test will not be released but will be used to inform future NAEP assessments.

Your child (will/may) take a mathematics, reading, or science assessment. In addition to subject-area questions, students voluntarily complete NAEP survey questions. These questions provide valuable information about participating students’ educational experiences and opportunities to learn both in and outside of the classroom. More information about NAEP survey questions is available at https://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/parents under the section “What Questions Are on the Test?”

The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students, which includes transition time, directions, and completion of survey questions.

The information collected is used for statistical purposes only.

• Your child’s grades will not be affected.
• Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may skip any question.
• While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify me in writing by (date).

There is no need to study in preparation for NAEP, but please encourage your child to do their best. Contact (name) at (telephone number) or at (email address) if you have any questions.

We are excited that our school is participating in NAEP. We know that (school name)’s students will show what our nation’s students know and can do.

Sincerely,

(School Principal’s Name)

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) conducts the National Assessment of Educational Progress to evaluate federally supported education programs. All of the information you provide may be used only for statistical purposes and may not be disclosed, or used, in identifiable form for any other purpose except as required by law (20 U.S.C. §9573 and 6 U.S.C. §151). By law, every NCES employee as well as every NCES agent, such as contractors and NAEP coordinators, has taken an oath and is subject to a jail term of up to 5 years, a fine of $250,000, or both if he or she willfully discloses ANY identifiable information about you. Electronic submission of your information will be monitored for viruses, malware, and other threats by Federal employees and contractors in accordance with the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015.