Join the Board
Use Your Experience To Serve Education Nationwide
Sep. 2, 2025 - Nov. 3, 2025, EST
The National Assessment Governing Board oversees and sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card, also called the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP. The Governing Board is an independent, nonpartisan board that determines the subjects and content NAEP assesses, sets achievement levels, hosts the release of results, and works to ensure findings are relevant and useful to stakeholders nationwide.
Qualified nominees committed to improving student achievement for all are encouraged to submit an application for open Board categories. Appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Education, members will serve terms that begin October 1, 2026.
Nominations will be accepted between September 2 and November 3, 2025. Candidates can nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. All nominations must include the nominee’s personal statement, resume or curriculum vitae, and at least one, but no more than three, letters of support.
Check out additional information and resources below.
A nominee should demonstrate a deep understanding of, and sustained work in, K-12 subject-matter curriculum at the school, district, state or national level, which can include curriculum development, instructional design, and creation and evaluation of curricular products, such as educational frameworks.
While circumstances can change unexpectedly, applicants should expect to have standing in the category for the full four-year term for which they are applying. However, a curriculum specialist who experiences a change in status during their term can complete their term.
A nominee must be a current (not retired or former) classroom eighth-grade teacher at time of application and must anticipate still being in that role next fall when appointments are made by the U.S. Secretary of Education. If a teacher instructs students in more than one grade, as long as eighth grade is among them, they are considered eligible. Priority will be given to those teaching in subject matter areas assessed by NAEP (reading, math, science, civics, and U.S. history).
While circumstances can change unexpectedly, applicants should expect to have standing in the category for the full four-year term for which they are applying. However, an eighth-grade teacher who experiences a change in status during their term can complete their term.
A nominee must be a current (not retired or former) classroom fourth-grade teacher at time of application and must anticipate still being in that role next fall when appointments are made by the U.S. Secretary of Education. If a teacher instructs students in more than one grade, as long as fourth grade is among them, they are considered eligible. Priority will be given to those teaching in subject matter areas assessed by NAEP (reading, math, science, civics, and U.S. history).
While circumstances can change unexpectedly, applicants should expect to have standing in the category for the full four-year term for which they are applying. However, a fourth-grade teacher who experiences a change in status during their term can complete their term.
A parent leader is any parent or guardian with evidence of commitment to educational progress and experience with parent advocacy leadership at the local, state, or national level. Nominees cannot be employed by a local, state, or federal education agency.
To honor legislative intent around Board membership, applicants should not apply for membership in the General Public Representative category or in the General Public Representative (Parent Leader) category if they meet the criteria for any other category (i.e., Local School Board Member, Testing & Measurement Expert, Chief State School Officer, etc.)
A nominee must be a current (not retired or former) principal of a secondary school (middle or high school) at time of application and must anticipate still being in that role next fall when appointments are made by the U.S. Secretary of Education. A principal of a combination school would be eligible if the school includes grade 12. Vice principals and assistant principals are not eligible.
While circumstances can change unexpectedly, applicants should expect to have standing in the category for the full four-year term for which they are applying. However, a secondary school principal who experiences a change in status during their term can complete their term.
Our Mission
Board members are leaders with a variety of expertise and viewpoints who work together to refine the Nation’s Report Card’s design, content, and reporting; increase its relevance and value; and maximize its quality, utility, and efficiency to ensure findings contribute to the improvement of student achievement.
Our Powered By NAEP campaign shows how stakeholders use The Nation’s Report Card to design and implement policies and practices that drive progress for students.
Our members provide powerful voices on education issues relevant to NAEP. Explore op-eds and other commentaries they have authored.
Identify what NAEP subjects are tested and when. See the latest assessment schedule. |
Develop frameworks, which determine the content of each NAEP assessment. Review our newest frameworks in Science, Reading, and Math. |
Develop NAEP achievement levels (NAEP Advanced, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Basic), which represent what students should know and be able to go. Read about this process. |
Approve test questions. Explore sample questions. |
Make NAEP results more meaningful and relevant to the public. See examples of skills and knowledge demonstrated on NAEP. |
Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Legislative Roles and Responsibilities for NAEP
- E-mail additional questions or to sign up for nominations updates