Back to Scores Wars: Comparing the National Assessment of Educational Progress with State Assessments
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Comparison of NAEP and state assessments of student learning
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| Questions |
NAEP |
State Assessments |
| What does the test measure? |
What U.S. students know and can do in various subjects |
What the state's students know and can do in various subjects |
| Who is tested? |
A representative sample of students |
All students in the state's public schools |
| What grades are tested? |
Grades 4, 8, and 12 |
Grades tested vary by state; beginning in 2006-07 the federal No Chld Left Behind Act requires annual tests for grades 3 through 8 and one high school grade. |
| Are scores reported for individual schools and students? |
No |
Yes |
| How is the content of the test determined? |
Through a national public process |
Through a state-level public process |
| Does the test reflect international standards? |
Yes |
Varies by state |
| What consequences do results have for states, districts, and schools? |
Public reporting of results by state |
Possible rewards and sanctions for districts or schools based on results |
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