NAEP
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is administered periodically to a sample of students at grades 4, 8, and 12 in reading, mathematics, science, writing, U.S history, civics, gemoetry, and other subjects. As the only nationally-representative, continuing assessment of what America’s students know and can do, NAEP results provide uniquely valuable information on student performance for both the nation and the states. The NAEP assessments are a continuing and nationally representative measure of achievement in various subjects over time. NAEP scores are communicated in what is commonly known as The Nation's Report Card which informs the public about the academic achievement of elementary and secondary students in the United States. NAEP is congressionally mandated by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) within the Institute of Education Sciences of the U.S. Department of Education. The Commissioner of Education Statistics is responsible for carrying out the NAEP project. The National Assessment Governing Board oversees and sets policy for NAEP.