Purpose: Since 1969, NAEP has provided national data on academic achievement of 9-, 13-, and 17-year-old students in public and private schools against rigorous standards in mathematics, science, writing, reading, U.S. history, civics, geography, and other subjects. In 1988, Congress allowed the voluntary participation of public schools in state-level assessments.

NEGP Use: To report on progress toward Goal 3: "All students will leave grades 4, 8, and 12 having demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter including English, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography . . ."

Administered By: National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) and National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Last Administration: 1996 for math and science; 1998 for reading and writing.

Next Administration: 2000 for math and science.

Costs: No direct costs to states.

Deadline for Participation: Mid- to late-Spring, 1999

Issues: States that wish to participate in NAEP at times are not able to because they cannot secure voluntary participation by a sufficient number of school districts and schools to provide a valid sample. NCES is sensitive to this problem and has convened a task force to examine the issues. The task force is looking at ways to reduce the burdens to states and schools associated with participating in NAEP, particularly the time requirements. The task force is also examining state policies and actions that facilitate participation by schools and school districts. Seventeen states mandate participation in NAEP, and two, North Carolina and Rhode Island, have integrated NAEP into their state assessment systems. Other states provide financial incentives to schools to participate or provide grants to offset any indirect costs at the local level.

Contact: Suzanne Triplette

National Center for Education Statistics

202/219-1949