In a statement April 24, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)—better known as the Nation’s Report Card—will proceed as planned in 2026, even as critics question the agency’s capacity amid staffing and budget cuts. This confirms a series of public and private statements by the Secretary and other senior ED officials in recent weeks.
Why it matters: NAEP provides one of the most consistent, long-term measures of student achievement in reading and math. Policymakers and advocates rely on it to assess how students are doing across states and over time.
What’s New
- The tests for grades 4 and 8 in reading and math will be administered between January 26 and March 20, 2026.
- Results are expected in early 2027, with additional national-level civics and U.S. history scores for 8th graders coming later that year.
- Pilot assessments in grades 4, 8, and 12 will help transition to updated NAEP frameworks.
Yes, but: While states are federally required to participate in NAEP math and reading at grades 4 and 8 to receive Title I funding, participation in 12th-grade and civics/U.S. history assessments is voluntary.
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