National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an assessment program operated by the National Center for Educational Statistics of the U.S. Department of Education. The purpose of NAEP is to act as the nation's “report card” by providing an estimate of the achievement of students at grades 4, 8, and 12. Nationally representative samples of students are tested in basic subjects, such as reading and mathematics, and in other areas, including civics, geography, and literature. NAEP also reports data on school characteristics and the results of teacher surveys. Information from NAEP can be used to address issues such as how various instructional practices relate to achievement and what policy changes are being made in U.S. schools.