The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the nation’s trusted source for information about student achievement and learning experiences across the United States. Also known as The Nation’s Report Card, NAEP serves as a consistent and reliable measure of performance in subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, U.S. history, and civics. The results have informed education policy and practice since 1969.

NAEP is required by Congress and carried out by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), which is led by the Commissioner of Education Statistics and part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences. The National Assessment Governing Board—an independent, bipartisan board of governors, state legislators, state school superintendents, teachers, researchers, and members of the general public —sets policy for NAEP.

The assessments are given to a sample of students in public and private schools across the country. NCES carefully selects the school sample, ensuring that participating students represent the characteristics of their district, state, or the entire nation.

Learn more about ​the assessment program​.

Read the NAEP law and learn more about the responsibilities of NCES and the Governing Board.