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The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the Nation’s Report Card, has historically received bipartisan support amidst a highly polarized political landscape. However, recent developments have raised concerns regarding its future.
Once regarded as a benchmark for educational assessment, the NAEP is facing significant challenges, including potential funding cuts and administrative issues. Chester Finn, a conservative education commentator and former chair of the governing board overseeing the NAEP, emphasized the precarious nature of the assessment, noting, “It’s a very delicate instrument. Risky things are happening. It’s going from bad to worse.”
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State education leaders are expressing their own apprehensions. Carey Wright, Maryland’s Superintendent of Schools and a former head of Mississippi’s education department, articulated her worries, stating, “I am concerned the congressional mandate will be ignored.” Federal law stipulates that NAEP administers assessments in reading and math for fourth and eighth graders every two years, with the next evaluation set for early 2026. As the sole nationally representative assessment, NAEP is crucial for tracking educational progress across diverse demographics.
Without NAEP, knowledge about pandemic-related educational setbacks, such as declines in literacy and numeracy skills among students, would be severely limited. The examination also provides vital data that helps states emulate successful educational reforms, evidenced by Mississippi’s rise from near the bottom to a position in the top ten nationally in fourth-grade reading over a decade. The alarming 2024 NAEP scores have been used as justification by former President Donald Trump for proposed cuts to the Department of Education in early 2025, illustrating the importance of this assessment.
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The administration of NAEP presents a complex set of procedures, requiring careful orchestration and adherence to strict deadlines. According to a former education official, “It’s like Jenga. If you take out something, the whole thing can crumble.”
The concerns surrounding NAEP intensified following actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, which aimed to reduce governmental costs. Although the Department claimed that contracts for NAEP remained unaffected, state officials began to notice troubling signs, including the cancellation of critical data necessary for creating a representative student sample.
Rigorous external analysis scrapped
In February, an expert panel dedicated to evaluating the validity of the NAEP was instructed to cease operations due to budget cuts from the Education Department. This panel plays a critical role in ensuring the rigor and reliability of NAEP’s assessments by analyzing question quality and trustworthiness. Jack Buckley, a previous commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics and chair of the validity studies panel, confirmed that their sessions had been weekly before this funding interruption.
Non-core NAEP tests under threat
NAEP encompasses a variety of assessments beyond just math and reading, including long-term trend tests dating back to 1969. Shortly after the DOGE cuts, the Education Department discontinued the long-term trend assessment for 17-year-olds, which has raised concerns among state officials about the potential elimination of other valuable assessments in history, civics, and science. “These things are all important for a well-rounded education,” noted one state official, expressing fears of retaliation for speaking out.
Funding pauses for administering and writing the exam
Much of the NAEP administration is conducted by outside contractors, making funding suspensions particularly alarming. News of halted funding for contracts with Westat, a firm responsible for selecting and administering the representative student sample, caused significant anxiety among state officials. Although Westat later stated their work would continue, uncertainty remained about the resumption of funding.
Additionally, the digital platform that students use to take the exam has faced funding interruptions, creating further complications as the testing format evolves for 2026. Instead of providing devices, students will now use school computers to access the exam, necessitating careful logistical planning to prevent technical difficulties.
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The contract for the digital platform will also need funding beyond June, creating further concern for timely preparation for the upcoming assessments.
While funding for state NAEP coordinators was ultimately restored, reducing the extent of budget cuts, the core work of creating NAEP exams has faced serious delays. Despite the reinstatement of funds, content development timelines remain unclear, with critical tasks concerning question design and testing for future examinations now at risk.
Budget cuts on the horizon
Moreover, ongoing negotiations to reduce the size of Education Department contracts could lead to further destabilization of NAEP, which operates on an annual budget of over $190 million. Former IES director Mark Schneider reported that significant cuts had initially been proposed, raising alarms among education advocates. Testing experts assert that there is no substitute for a comprehensive, custom-tailored examination like NAEP, highlighting the potential pitfalls of relying on commercial tests that may not provide comparable results to previous evaluations.
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While the necessity for budget efficiency is understood, experts warn that overly drastic cuts could compromise the quality and integrity of educational assessments. A report from the National Academy of Sciences indicated that while efficiency improvements could be realized, quality must not be sacrificed in the process.
Oversight
The staff reductions following the early 2025 firings within the Education Department have left a minimal number of experienced personnel overseeing NAEP, a situation that could lead to increased errors due to insufficient management of the contracts necessary for the program’s success.
Despite the unease regarding NAEP’s future, some educators and supporters, including close allies of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, express confidence in her commitment to preserving its value. Erika Donalds stated, “I have confidence in the team and in their understanding of the importance of the continuity of information.”
Lobbying behind the scenes
Discussions about the NAEP’s future have permeated recent gatherings among state education leaders, with many advocating for the continued role and integrity of the assessments during legislative conferences. Advocacy efforts have also reached the media, with prominent figures from various administrations penning letters and opinion pieces emphasizing the importance of NAEP.
As uncertainties loom, the fate of NAEP remains in the balance, dependent on the decisions of policymakers and the pressures of the current political landscape.
Source
hechingerreport.org