National Assessment Governing Board Ushers in Updates to Nation's Report Card Schedule

Contact: Stephaan Harris, [email protected], 202-357-7504

National Assessment Governing Board Ushers in Updates to Nation's Report Card Schedule

Board Also Moves Forward on Updating Civics Framework and Providing Broader TUDA Access

May 15, 2026 - (Washington, DC) TheNational Assessment Governing Boardtook steps this week to provide the public with more Nation's Report Card data, update the civics assessment, and expand eligibility for the urban district assessment program.

The Governing Board approved plans to update the Nation's Report Card, also known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP, by collecting and releasing more state-level data in key subjects and grades. This will give education leaders and policymakers more actionable data to improve learning in their states.

Currently, NAEP data are only available on a state-by-state basis in 4th and 8th grade math and reading; other NAEP results are reported out only for the nation as a whole.

The National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees The Nation's Report Card finalized plans on Friday to release state-level NAEP data in the following grades and subjects:

• 8th and 12th grade civics
• 12th grade math and reading
• 8th grade science

States must opt in for the additional state-level data. It requires a larger sample of students but comes at no cost to states.

These efforts are part of additional assessment schedule changes that restore assessments initially removed last year due to shifting resource allocations and adds new state-based opportunities.

"Over the next few years, states will get the opportunity to have additional state NAEP results, allowing their leaders to see more clearly how their students are doing over time and compared to their peers elsewhere," Governing Board Chair and Tennessee State Rep. Mark White said. "We've seen states, including my own, use NAEP data to push for positive changes in elementary and middle school reading and math. I hope this leads more states to take similar steps to improve student outcomes in these other important areas."

The Governing Board also approved a charge to formally launch the process of updating the NAEP Civics Assessment Framework for assessments in 2032 and beyond. This week's Board action followed a public comment period on the NAEP civics framework. Next, the Board will convene panels of subject-matter and assessment experts. An educator advisory committee will also inform the process, and there will be additional opportunities for public comment.

The Board also approved changes to the TUDA program. Instead of being known as the Trial Urban District Assessment program, TUDA now will be officially called the Trends in Urban Districts Assessment. This is no longer a "trial" program, and the name change reflects TUDA's 25-year history.

The TUDA program currently reports NAEP results for more than 20 urban districts, but updated eligibility criteria will allow more school systems to participate and allow for broader geographic representation in the program. Newly eligible districts will be invited to take part in the 2028 administration of NAEP assessments.

"This week Governing Board members advanced longstanding goals to expand access to state- and TUDA-level NAEP data, including preparing to update the NAEP civics assessment," National Assessment Governing Board Executive Director Lesley Muldoon said. "The Nation's Report Card provides the country with essential information about how U.S. students are doing academically. The Board's actions this week will further strengthen the program so NAEP can continue to meet the needs of students, educators, and policymakers."

Download the PDF version of the release here.

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The National Assessment Governing Board (Governing Board) sets policy for the Nation's Report Card, also called the National Assessment of Educational Progress or NAEP. Created by Congress in 1988, the Governing Board is an independent, nonpartisan board whose 26- members include governors, state legislators, local and state school officials, educators, business representatives and members of the general public. For more information about the Governing Board, visit www.nagb.gov .