Opting into More State-Level Data on The Nation’s Report Card

Opting into More State-Level Data
on The Nation’s Report Card

For more than three decades, states have used 4^th and 8^th grade reading and math results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) to understand trends in student academic achievement over time, across states, and for different student groups. This information has helped education leaders drive improvements in policy and practice that have resulted in significant student achievement gains.

The National Assessment Governing Board and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) are offering states the opportunity to participate in state-level NAEP in additional subjects and grades starting in 2028. By participating, state policymakers and education leaders will receive richer, more actionable data to inform their decision-making.

What subjects and grades can states opt into?

We are inviting states to volunteer to get state-level results in any of the following:

8^th grade civics
12^th grade civics
8^th grade science
12^th grade math
12^th grade reading

Currently, these assessments are administered every four years at the national level (with the exception of 12^th grade civics, which the Board is proposing to administer again in 2032 after a hiatus).

How would states benefit?

Participation will enable education leaders to understand student performance in these grades and subjects over time and in comparison to other states, spotlighting achievement in a low-stakes and high-information manner.

When would the assessments occur?

States that opt in for state-level results in any of these assessments would participate in the following years:

	2028	2029	2030	2031	2032	2033	2034	2035	2036
Civics	Gr 8				Gr 8 + 12			Gr 8 + 12
Science		Gr 8				Gr 8
Math	Gr 12				Gr 12				Gr 12
Reading	Gr 12				Gr 12				Gr 12

What is the cost to states?

There are no costs to states. NAEP covers all costs associated with preparation, administration, scoring, and reporting.

How do states sign up?

NCES will reach out to all state chiefs, deputies, and assessment directors in the fall of 2026 to begin the formal process to commit to the 2028 assessments. State education agencies will need to sign participation agreements no later than January 31, 2027.

Have questions?

Contact Stephaan Harris, Assistant Director for Communications at the National Assessment Governing Board, at stephaan.harris@ed.gov.

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