Home   News   Visitor   Data   Topics    

NAEP

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)





National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)



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 school. Since 1969, NAEP has provided valuable information on student achievement to policymakers, educators, and the general public. The National Center for Education Statistics in the U.S. Department of Education, is responsible by law for carrying out the NAEP project. The National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), appointed by the Secretary of Education but independent of the Department, sets policy for NAEP and is responsible for developing the frameworks and test specifications that serve as the blueprint for the assessments.

NAEP is a survey assessment. It provides results for populations and groups of students. It is not a testing program designed to provide individual student, school or district results.

There are two types of NAEP assessments that are administered on alternating years: Main or State/TUDA NAEP and National/Long-Term Trend/Special Studies NAEP.

Main/State/TUDA NAEP National/Special Studies/ Long-Term Trend NAEP Resources Quick Links
What is Main/State/TUDA NAEP? What are National/Special Studies/ Long Term NAEP? NAEP Assessment Schedule Nation's Report Card Homepage
Frameworks Assessment Results Resources for Participating Schools NAEP Data Explorer
Assessment Results Released Items Information for Parents NAEP Questions tool
Released Items Differences Between MAIN and Long-Term Trend Information for Students NAEP State comparison tool
Inclusion Policy and Accommodations NAEP and State Assessments




Main/State/TUDA NAEP

Main NAEP is conducted every other year (odd numbered years). It yields public school STATE results for grades 4 and 8, and public/nonpublic NATIONAL results for grades 4, 8, and 12. There also are a select number of urban districts that participate in the TRIAL URBAN DISTRICT assessment (TUDA). Milwaukee first participated in TUDA in 2009.

These assessments follow the frameworks developed by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). NAEP assessments include selected response and constructed response questions and sometimes include the use of calculators and other ancillary materials. The Writing assessments are computer-based. Each year NAEP releases a number of previously operational items. By using the NAEP questions tool, one can review these items, performance statistics, scoring rubrics, and sample student work.

The content of Main NAEP is designed to align with current national instructional practice. As a result, frameworks and content have evolved over time. Main NAEP can be used for short-term trend analysis. The more reliable instrument for change over time is Long-Term Trend NAEP.

Beginning in 2003, NAEP assessments were conducted under the No Child Left Behind law which links participation to Title 1 funds. The law states that any school selected for participation in NAEP in grades 4 and 8 must participate if the district wishes to receive Title 1 funds.

Main NAEP always consists of mathematics and reading assessments for grades 4 and 8. Other subject areas are included on a rotating basis (see schedule for upcoming assessments).




Assessment Results for Main NAEP - State level results

NAEP 2011 Mathematics Results
Average scale scores for public school participants
Grade 4 Grade 8
State Nation State Nation
Overall 245* 240 289* 283
American Indian/Alaska Native 231 227 -- 266
Asian (new) 242 257* 289 305*
Asian Pacific Islander 242 256* 290 302*
Black 217 224* 256 262
Hispanic 228 229 270 269
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander -- 235 -- 265
White 251* 249 295* 293
Two or more races -- 244 -- 286
Females 244* 239 287* 282
Males 245* 241 290* 283
Eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL) 231* 229 269 269
Not Eligible for FRL 254* 252 299* 295
Students with Disabilities 222* 218 252 249
Non-disabled 248* 243 294* 287
English-Language Learners 223* 219 257* 244
Non-ELL 247* 243 290* 285
--Sample size insufficient to permit a reliable estimate.
*Statistically higher (p<.05) within the same reporting group when comparing Wisconsin and national public students for same grade and year. No (*) between groups means the scores are not statistically different.
NOTE: New reporting groups for 2011: Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. In 2009 and years prior, these were combined into the category Asian/Pacific Islander.

NAEP 2011 Reading Results
Average scale scores for public school participants
Grade 4 Grade 8
State Nation State Nation
Overall 221 220 267* 264
American Indian/Alaska Native -- 204 -- 253
Asian (new) 224 236* 271 277
Asian/Pacific Islander 225 234* 271 275
Black 196 205* 240 248*
Hispanic 202 205 248 251
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander -- 214 -- 251
White 227 230* 272 272
Two or more races -- 225 -- 267
Females 224 223 272* 268
Males 219 217 262* 259
Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch (FRL) 206 207 251 251
Not Eligible for FRL 232 234* 275 275
Students with Disabilities 182 186 235* 230
Non-Disabled 227* 224 272* 267
English-Language Learners 195* 188 240* 223
Non-ELL 223 224 269* 266
--Sample size insufficient to permit a reliable estimate.
*Statistically higher (p<.05) within the same reporting group when comparing Wisconsin and national public students for same grade and year. No (*) between groups means the scores are not statistically different.
NOTE: New reporting groups for 2011: Asian, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander. In 2009 and years prior, these were combined into the category Asian/Pacific Islander.

Please see the 2011 NAEP Math and Reading Results
press release for results from previous years or visit the NAEP Data Explorer for further data analysis.

NAEP 2009 Science Results
Average scale scores for public school participants
Grade 4 Grade 8
State Nation State Nation
Overall 157* 149 157* 149
African-American 121 127* 120 125*
American Indian 145 137 -- 138
Asian 153 160 152 159
Hispanic 138* 130 134 131
White 164* 162 165* 161
Females 156* 148 155* 147
Males 157* 149 160* 151
Disadvantaged 141* 134 139* 133
Not Disadvantaged 166* 163 166* 161
Students with Disabilities 134* 129 130* 122
Non-Disabled 160* 163 161* 152
English-Language Learners 131* 114 128* 103
Non-ELL 158* 153 159* 151
--Sample size insufficient to permit a reliable estimate.
*Statistically higher (p<.05) within the same reporting group when comparing Wisconsin and national public students for same grade and year. No (*) between groups means the scores are not statistically different.

Milwaukee TUDA results can be viewed at http://nationsreportcard.gov/tuda.asp

NAEP provides a variety of tools to present and organize assessment results including:

  • State Profile summary – This tool provides information about each state's student and school population and NAEP testing history. Click on Wisconsin to obtain the most recent results.
  • NAEP Data Explorer - This tool provides access to all NAEP data, including National and all states/jurisdictions. Data can be represented as scale scores or proficiency levels. This tool presents data in charts and graphical format and also provides checks for statistical significance.
  • State Comparisons tool – This tool provides comparisons between states based on average scale score. Comparisons can be made within a single assessment year or between two assessment years.

Back to Top

Released Items

Released items for Main NAEP and Long-Term Trend are available from the NAEP questions tool. Items can be searched by subject, grade, and/or complexity. There are currently more than 2,000 items available.



Back to Top

National/Special Studies/ Long-Term Trend


National Assessments

National NAEP reports statistical information about student performance and factors related to educational performance for the nation and for specific student groups in the population (e.g. race/ethnicity, gender). It includes students drawn from both public and nonpublic (private) schools and reports results for student achievement at grades 4, 8, and 12.

These assessments follow subject-area frameworks developed by the National Assessment Governing Board, and use the latest advances in assessment methodology. These assessments are distinguished from NAEP long-term trend, which, although national, uses frameworks and questions that remain constant over time.

As the content and nature of the NAEP instrument evolve to match instructional practice, the ability of the assessment to measure change over time is reduced. While short-term trends can be measured in many of the NAEP subjects, the most reliable instruments of change over time are the NAEP long-term trend assessments.

Special Studies

NAEP conducts a number of special studies in subjects other than reading and mathematics. Ongoing projects include the High School Transcript Study and a Technology-Based Assessment project designed to explore the use of technology, especially the use of the computer, as a tool to enhance the quality and efficiency of educational assessments. NAEP is also conducting a special two part study entitled the National Indian Education Study (NIES). More information about NAEP special studies can be found at: http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/studies/

Back to Top

Long-Term Trend

(NAEP Long-Term Trend)

Students are assessed in reading or mathematics. This assessment has been administered to students across the nation since the late 1960’s and allows educators, researchers and policy makers to examine trends in national academic achievement over time. Since its inception, Long-Term Trend has been administered to students at various ages (ages 9, 13, and 17; not grade levels.) The time allotted for this assessment is 90 minutes. Results are reported at the national level only.

Back to Top

Long-Term Trend Results

A summary of the most recent results (2008) is available on the NAEP website.

Long-Term Trend Released Items

Released items for Long-Term Trend are available from the NAEP questions tool. Items can be searched by subject, grade, and/or complexity.



Back to Top

Assessment Schedule

YearNationalState and TUDALong-Term Trend
2010 U.S. History
Civics
Geography
Pilot: Writing (4:paper and pencil) (8,12: computer-based)
Special Study: Mathematics (4,8)
2011 Reading (4, 8) Reading
Mathematics (4, 8) Mathematics
Writing* (8, 12) Science(8)(State only)
Science (8)
2012 Economics (12)* Reading
Mathematics
2013 Reading Reading
Mathematics Mathematics
Writing (4)
2014 US History*
Civics*
Geography
Technology and Engineering Literacy* (grades TBD)
2015 Reading Reading
Mathematics Mathematics
Science Writing
High School Transcript Study
2016 Arts (8) Reading
Mathematics
2017 Reading Reading
Mathematics Mathematics
Writing Science


*Updated or new framework is planned for implementation for this subject. Framework for foreign language approved by the National Assessment Governing Board May 2000; updates to mathematics framework approved November 2001; economics framework approved August 2002. In the case of subjects for which frameworks are already adopted (i.e., reading, writing, mathematics, science, the arts, U.S. history, geography, and civics), the Board will decide whether a new or updated framework is needed for this assessment year.

Note: Grades tested are 4, 8, and 12 unless otherwise indicated, except that Long-Term Trend assessments sample students at ages 9, 13, and 17 and are conducted in reading and mathematics.


Back to Top

Resources for Participating Schools

All schools selected to participate in NAEP during the 2011-12 school year were notified in June. All building principals and district assessment coordinators were notified of the assessment date.

In early September, selected schools and DACs received a NAEP packet. This packet includes information about the MySchool website, providing/updating school information on MySchool, and submitting a student list.

Materials for participating schools are posted online on schools' MySchool webpages.

If you have questions about the assessment or need to change your assessment date due to a school conflict please contact Angela Dugas at 608-267-2273 or angela.dugas@dpi.wi.gov, or visit your MySchool webpage.

Back to Top


Information for Parents

Information for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents




Information for Students

Kids' Zone: Learning with NCES

Back to Top


NAEP and State Assessments


This fact sheet describes the differences between NAEP and state assessments.



Back to Top


For questions about this information, contact oeamail@dpi.wi.gov

Last updated on 2/9/2012 10:51:25 AM