Today, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon released the following statement as the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) prepares for the 2026 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP):
“NAEP (the Nation’s Report Card) is the benchmark by which we evaluate the state of the American education system. It is a critical tool for parents, educators, and experts to assess our students’ preparedness and advise on necessary interventions. As we continue with our final mission to return education to the states, I am committed to providing states with the tools and best practices to advance the educational achievement of our nation’s students.
The Department will ensure that NAEP continues to provide invaluable data on learning across the U.S. The 2026 NAEP assessments in reading and math are on track for administration in January 2026.
The National Assessment Governing Board will continue to oversee the NAEP program under the stewardship of Lesley Muldoon, who was recently reappointed as the Board’s Executive Director. The agency congratulates Director Muldoon on her reappointment and thanks her for her continued dedication and leadership.”
Background:
States are critical partners in the administration of NAEP. The National Center for Education Statistics sent a letter today to Chief State School Officers detailing upcoming dates and information relating to the 2026 NAEP assessment.