The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), better known as the Nation's Report Card, has been used for 34 years to test representative samples of students in math, reading, writing, geography, U.S. history, and other subjects. Whereas previous NAEP tests were given to samples of students in states that volunteered, NCLB requires that ALL 50 states must take the test every two years in reading and math (in grades 4 and 8). The results from the first round of NCLB-driven NAEP testing will be released this afternoon and should provide a fascinating state-by-state comparison of student achievement. According to some, "NAEP now becomes a sort of 'truth serum' for states," offering a "telling comparison" between state and federal tests. We hope so. Watch this space next week for details on the results and their implications.
"First Nationwide Test to Compare Students" by Greg Toppo, USA Today, November 11, 2003