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Nominations FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Serving on the National Assessment Governing Board

The National Assessment Governing Board sets policy for the nation’s largest ongoing assessment of what U.S. students know and can do – the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation’s Report Card. The Governing Board identifies subjects to be tested, determines the content and achievement levels for each assessment, approves test questions, and pursues innovative ways to make NAEP results meaningful and relevant to all stakeholders including their use to inform education policymaking.  The Governing Board also aims to make NAEP more nimble, efficient, and cost-effective to ensure the highest level of data integrity and quality. More specifics about the Board’s responsibilities can be found in the NAEP law

Along with the responsibilities outlined above, the Governing Board will work with the National Center for Education Statistics on: innovating and modernizing NAEP to make results more relevant, timely, and actionable for education leaders; updating the NAEP Civics and U.S. History Frameworks, the blueprint for the content and design of the assessment; and continue partnering with key stakeholders to best use NAEP data to support education leaders committed to helping our students and teachers recover from the pandemic’s massive disruptions.

Broadly representative by law, the non-partisan Governing Board includes 26 members. Of those, 25 are appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education in the following categories:

  • two governors, or former governors, who are not members of the same political party;
  • two state legislators, who are not members of the same political party;
  • two chief state school officers;
  • one superintendent of a local educational agency;
  • one member of a state board of education;
  • one member of a local board of education;
  • three classroom teachers representing the grade levels at which the NAEP is conducted (4, 8 and 12)
  • one representative of business or industry;
  • two curriculum specialists;
  • three testing and measurement experts;
  • one non-public school administrator or policymaker;
  • two school principals, one from the elementary level, the other from the secondary level;
  • two parents who are not employed by a local, state, or federal educational agency;
  • two additional members who are representatives of the general public, but who are not employed by a local, state, or federal educational agency.

The director of the Institute of Education Sciences serves as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

The Governing Board is seeking candidates for the following 6 positions to be appointed in the fall of 2024:

  • General Public Representative – Parent Leader
  • Local School Board Member
  • Nonpublic School Administrator
  • State Legislator – Democrat
  • State Legislator - Republican
  • Testing and Measurement Expert

Anyone with a strong interest in and commitment to educational progress, who also has experience with parent advocacy organizations can be nominated for this position. The only restriction is that nominees cannot be employed by a local, state, or federal education agency.

Yes. Most of the nominations the Governing Board receives are self-nominations.

Nominees must submit a personal statement outlining their interest and qualifications in the category for which they are applying; curriculum vitae or resume; and at least one letter of support, but not more than three. Personal statements should be limited to one page and curricula vitae or resumes should be no more than six pages. For additional details see our Submission Requirements. We will accept nominations Sept. 5, 2023, through Midnight, Eastern Time on Nov. 12, 2023, for appointments that begin Oct. 1, 2024.

Yes, submissions can be edited up until the final submission deadline of Midnight ET on Nov. 12, 2023. Upon initial submission, nominees will receive a confirmation email that includes a PIN. To upload new or additional materials, the PIN is used to log back into the submission system.  

The Governing Board’s Nominations Committee solicits nominations, reviews all submissions, and makes recommendations of up to six finalists in each open category to the U.S. Secretary of Education. The Secretary appoints members to serve on the Board.

Board members typically serve four-year terms. Board members may also apply for and be appointed to a second term. The 2024 Board term will begin on Oct. 1, 2024.

Board meetings are held quarterly. The meetings generally take place over two full days on Thursday and Friday. All Board members serve on at least one standing committee. Committee meetings are typically part of the quarterly meetings, but committees may also hold additional virtual meetings between Board meetings. The time commitment for committee activities typically ranges from one to four hours per month.

All Board members serve on at least one of four standing committees: the Assessment Development Committee; the Committee on Standards, Design and Methodology; the Reporting and Dissemination Committee; and/or the Nominations Committee Occasionally ad hoc committees are established to focus on specific initiatives. All committee chairs and vice chairs sit on the Executive Committee.

Depending on the rules in each Board member’s state, district, or organization, they may be eligible for an honorarium of $100 per day.  

Board meetings are held in-person. Typically, at least two meetings per year are held in Washington, D.C. One or both of the other meetings annually are typically held in  the home city or state of a current Board member. 

No, all travel and expenses are arranged and paid for by the Governing Board.

Still have questions about serving on the Board? Contact us at nagbnominations@ed.gov or call 202-357-6938