NAEP and No Child Left Behind

(NAEP) is the only nationally representative and continuing assessment of what U.S. students know and can do in various subject areas. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that all U.S. states, jurisdictions, and territories submit plans to the Secretary of Education that demonstrate that the state has adopted challenging academic content and student achievement standards. As part of that plan, states and school districts that receive Title I funds must participate in NAEP assessments in reading and math at grades 4 and 8 every two years. The purpose of NAEP has always been to survey what students know and can do and to mon-itor changes over time. Now, NAEP has a new role, to act as a serious discussion tool in evaluat